3 steps to show up for yourself every day

It’s March Madness as I’m writing this. Teams are fired up, ready to go. 2 NJ teams are in it, so I’m cheering for them super hard (I love an underdog story).

As I’m watching the games, I can’t help but be a little jealous of the athleticism these people have. I’m amazed by the talent, strength, endurance, yes yes yes… but what really gets to me is the passion to succeed.

The players are there to win. Every move is with purpose. Every play is intentional. Every little thing they do is for the win.

Now this is where my heart gets too soft for the sports world. Someone has to lose, right? We all know that only one team gets to walk away with the trophy at the end of the tournament, which breaks my heart because everyone’s doing such amazing things!

But I’d like to flip the script.

They’ve already won so many games just to get to this point. And in order to do that, they had to make the decision to show up for themselves and for their teams.

They’re giving themselves a chance just by being there.

I grew up a very competitive soccer player, so of course I’ve been reflecting back on the good ol’ glory days. I have this fire that still lives in me that wishes I were out there with a bunch of teammates fighting for something that big together. What an accomplishment for an athlete!

I never stood a chance, though, because I chose not to show up anymore after high school. I chose to give up on that dream. I let fear get in the way rather than give myself the opportunity to win. 

If you’re not showing up for yourself, then you are guaranteed to lose. You forfeit the game, plain and simple.

That’s why showing up is more than half the battle. You’ve already won something. You’ve already won at giving yourself a chance. You’ve already won at committing to yourself. You’ve already won at improving yourself.

So enough about competitive sports, let’s bring it back to how this affects us each and every day.

My clients like to thank me for helping them. While it's really nice to hear that I’ve had a positive impact on someone’s life, I always remind them that it is THEM who show up every day.

Sure, I can guide you and educate you. I can help you with your programming and teach proper form in the gym; I can tell you what food to prioritize and give you guidance on macros; I can even hand you a meal & exercise plan. That’s the easy part.

What you do with all of that is what matters, though. It’s up to you to decide to show up and follow through. It’s up to you to decide that you’re worth it, that your health is worth it and that your life is worth it. It’s up to you to take action and show up for yourself.

So many people “know what to do and just don’t do it”. Have you ever said that before?? I totally have…

That’s why my argument today is that showing up is more than half the battle. You don’t need to be working towards an NCAA Championship in order to feel amazing and be in good shape. All you need to do is start where you are, right now, in this moment, and show up. Because if you don’t show up, then you are definitely going to fail.

So, how do you do it?

How to show up for yourself everyday:

1. Get clear on your goals. You need to know what it is you’re working towards, otherwise it’s easy to lose motivation. Dig deep when doing this - find intrinsic motivation, that thing that’s inside of you lighting you up when you think about what it would mean to accomplish your goals.

2. Check in with yourself. What’s your energy like? How’s your mood? What can you do today that is both aligned with your energy and the goal you want to achieve? It’s important to acknowledge and honor your feelings and energy in order to avoid burnout. Health is a life-long journey, so checking in is very important!

3. Commit to at least 1 activity per day. Know that every day is going to look different, and that’s okay. Consistency is more important than perfection. You want to build a consistent habit of doing something for yourself, even if it’s for just 5 minutes. This will keep you in the productive habit loop, rather than the habit loop that keeps you on the couch scrolling and watching Netflix for hours.

And hey, if your goal is to win a big athletic event, then power to you!! Setting the goal is one thing, showing up to allow yourself the chance to achieve it is another, no matter where you are and what you want to accomplish.

So my friends, get after it every single day, whether that’s a 10 mile run or a 10 minute yin yoga in your jammies. I’m rooting for you!

Looking for clarity and support in setting goals for yourself and the steps to take to reach them? I’m your girl! I’m now offering a 1:1 90-Minute Intensive session designed to do just this - get clear on your goals and create an action plan together all with your personal health history and bio individuality in mind. Send me an email by filling out the form below if you’re interested in more information!