Do to the overwhelming response from my last blog, I wanted to share another activity that I’ve used with the regional Biggest Loser contestants in the motivational weekly session that I run with noted wellness doctor, Dr. Kelly Sennholz. We dedicated one of our sessions to building confidence in order for overweight individuals to believe that a healthy lifestyle is possible. With many of the Biggest Loser contestants I’ve found that they believe they aren’t worthy of the efforts for self-improvement. Many looking to lose a substantial amount of weight not only need a health and wellness makeover, but a confidence makeover as well. We all need to realize that there are great things we do every day. And we need to view our mistakes as areas for improvement rather than downright failures.
To be successful, you need to…
Be willing to stick your neck out… Believe in Yourself
Confidence Log
My Perspective: Leading into my second Olympics, I read that one of my greatest role models, Dan Jansen, kept a journal of everything he did: how much he slept, what he ate, energy levels, emotional stress, pain felt, communication, etc. I learned that Dan kept track of each training day and each competition so that he could look back and see which things were enhancing his performance and which things weren’t. I adapted the journaling for my personal needs, coming up with a log where I could input what went well and what I could improve. I found doing so forced me to think more positively and gave me a point of reference when I looked back to important milestones.
Your Tools for Success: Let today be the day you start journaling to recognize what you do well and what you can improve. Each day, write down one thing you did well that day and one thing you could improve on. It’s often easy to see the achievements and improvements others make, but we have to take the time to recognize that regardless of what we are going through, we can change, too. Build your confidence by getting to know and appreciate yourself.
DAYS___________What did I do well today?___________What can I improve?
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
As you read my blogs, keep in mind that these stories, anecdotes and tools are all based around my philosophy for success: THE TURTLE EFFECT (Highlighted in the new book When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How to Stick Their Necks Out -- that was featured on the Today Show this past February). The Turtle Effect was taught to me by my mother when I was a young girl. She told me that I could achieve anything I wanted to as long as I remembered to have a soft inside, a hard shell, and be sure to stick my neck out.