Acknowledgement

When was the last time you gave yourself a hard time?

It shouldn’t take too long to remember; maybe you misplaced your keys? Or you said something you shouldn’t have in public? Forgot someone’s birthday?

There are tons of times we rap ourselves over the knuckles for doing something not quite as well as we wanted. Just a quick reprimand to let ourselves know that wasn’t up to standard. In fact it probably happens so often that you don’t really even remember it.

Now try something else, when was the last time you said well done to yourself? ….. Thinking…….more thinking.  Nothing coming to mind? Don’t worry, it’s not unusual. We hardly ever say ‘job well done’ to ourselves.

But is this important?

I think it really is, and this is why. We have this massive subconscious which has no way of discerning good and bad, things we should do or shouldn’t. All it does it get input from our conscious mind which is usually giving it a hard time. When we fail at getting to a workout or eat the wrong food, all it gets is this tough unpleasant bollocking.  When we succeed there is ……nothing.

If I were the subconscious I would try and work at not attempting those activities much as there is no benefit accept a feeling of disappointment when failure happens, to it there isn’t an upside.

So give it an upside, when you finish a workout or eat correctly sit back for two minutes and give yourself a good slap on the back for achieving something, the next step towards getting towards your goals.

When I do this the most amazing things usually happen. I actually feel really good about what I did. It’s almost like my body was craving a bit of recognition for doing well. It’s the opposite of how you feel when you cheat or miss a workout.

This feeling lasts a little while, its gives you energy and motivation to move to the next challenge.  It carries you through the hurdles when the results aren’t showing you the effort you have put in.

From today try giving yourself acknowledgement whenever you achieve and see if this works for you.