No Matter How Old You Are, You’re Always Learning!

So, one more figures competition under my belt, this time at the National level. Yes, the competition was tougher than at the Provincial level and I had to step up my game… but that is a Cool thing. Sometimes it takes a challenge to get us to step up and make some major changes and improvements.

For this competition my amazing husband, Pat, hired a trainer for me. I sure learned a lot through my sessions with my trainer and the diets and exercise routines he had me follow. I had a great foundation already established… but yet it was that extra 20% that made up 80% of my visible progress.

A few notices I took away from my experience at the National competition:

• Although I was told everyone was there to win and I wouldn’t find anyone to be friendly or cooperative, it was totally opposite. I met so many COOL people and had a blast back stage.
• No matter how lean, muscular, toned, tanned, etc. you think you are, there is always at least one other person who is just a bit more.
• Being a judged sport… you can’t control the judges thoughts and opinions. And they’re all looking at you a little differently.
• Coming in last place isn’t degrading or defeating unless you make it that way.

Yes, I did come in last place in my categories. And yes, I could have quit after that… but I’m thinking… why would I? I’ve dieted for over three months, tanned myself silly, lifted what seems like millions of pounds of weights… just to quit? Nope.

This applies so well to the rest of our lives… in business, on a personal level, in sports, whatever… one “kick in the butt” and we may feel like we want to quit. Instead, perhaps look at it this way… take a step back, look at where you really are, and where you started from. You may (in fact, you probably will) surprise yourself.

Are you willing to give up on all that you’ve done, everything you’ve accomplished to that point, just to pack it in? That can be a tough question, and we’re thinking the answer for the most part would be a resounding NO. Of course there are the few times when the writing is on the wall, and a different path would be the best choice.

My trainer did have a few of his students quit just before the competition. That boggled my mind. I couldn’t understand investing in that much time, energy, pain and money just to drop out. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? You could come in last place 😉