At what point do you think you need to get away from this person? What’s the situation? Is it always the same with this person? Take the time to notice how you feel when you are speaking to different folks. Do you feel lifted, neutral, drained, or annoyed (which also drains) after even a short time with them? At what point does it happen?

Very often there is something being mirrored back to you that you can learn from.

I could feel drained if I get a call from someone and realize that I had not completed what I said I would in the allotted time. I could own my lapse and fess up leaving me neutral and, in some cases, lifted. Maybe everyone under-determined how long it would take and the completion expectation was just more than you…well, expected. Another approach is where I make excuses for it and feel drained.

I could just be in a hurry when someone who I normally enjoy chatting with, is taking too long to share a story so I become impatient and become short with them. Am I being upfront from the beginning, saying I’m pressed for time? The learning is in the mirror by saying what I need so others can provide the space I need to be on time. Is it possible that not being open could cause me to feel drained?

Am I spending unnecessary time with folks I just don’t click with? If it’s family, sometimes you need to suck it up and other times you don’t. What do you need for your well-being? If it’s someone you must work with, is there an opportunity for an honest conversation so you can both get on the same page? I’ve seen these difficult relationships after I worked with only one change dramatically where both people become very friendly at work. No, they all didn’t become away from work pals, but the new level of respect and empathy went a long way for their work relationship.

Look for the learning opportunities for both you and the other person in each situation where you hold up a two-sided mirror between you. When we can learn together vs. teach others, we have an incredible opportunity to affect the world. 

Warmly,

Tammy Rowland

www.TammyRowlandCoaching.com

The post IS IT YOU OR IS IT ME? appeared first on Interesting Topics Online.

So as the covid restrictions finally lifted in mid-February of 2022, the gyms reopened. Our freedom to move around freely in the communities came back. Anyhow, looking at myself in the mirror after sitting on my behind for two years I was definitely not pleased with the couch potato I had become. I put on weight, breathing heaving when walking upstairs, and needed to nap now and again. Frankly, I was fed up, ready for change. I hired a trainer because I knew if I did it alone I would overdo it or want to give in if I was not accountable to anyone.

Starting, literally using the lowest weight possible the journey began, better safe than sorry. I stayed consistent, I entered all my stats in my little trusted trainorize app and followed the trainer’s plan. Tracking my improvement day by day. I made sure to be better than the day before, quality over quantity, technique as opposed to trying to get it done. Here’s the crazy thing, if you show up every day, listen to your body, pay attention to the technique and eat and sleep properly your muscles and body react amazingly. On some exercises, I am lifting the same amount of weight I was lifting in my late teens and early twenties. Just today I was doing leg extensions with 300 lbs., calf raise at 400 lbs., and leg press with 540 lbs. That’s insane and I know I could go quite a bit heavier because it was relatively easy to get a full set in.

But I didn’t!

There was that little voice on my shoulder saying, “relax big boy, cool down and keep some of that for another day.” so that’s what I’m doing, I’m taking it easy, keeping a level head, and gradually I will make it to my next level.

So what’s the moral of this story. It’s not really about my superhero feats of strength, but I think it’s about pushing your boundaries, living a good life, being kind to yourself, and having fun. Guess what? I’m having fun.

The post The Gym Wolf Returns appeared first on Interesting Topics Online.