We are not perfect.

No matter how much we may strive to be, we simply aren’t.

And that isn’t a bad thing…even though we often treat ourselves like failures when we don’t live up to our own expectations.

The bad thing is when we hold ourselves back for longer than the failure itself does because we keep berating ourselves and preventing ourselves from moving on.

I say all this as a person who can be very very tough on herself when she doesn’t accomplish things exactly how and when she planned to.

I say this as a person who is incredibly demanding of herself and can bring herself to tears because she beats herself up over a “failure.”

I also say this as a person who is working to correct this and learn how to “give herself a break.”

Because mistakes AREN’T failures unless we don’t learn from them. And the harder a time we give ourselves about our mistake, the longer we stay in that failure mentality and hold ourselves back from moving forward.

Random (but not so random)…Have any of you read “Oh The Places You’ll Go?” (If you haven’t I suggest you do as it probably is one of the best “life lesson” books out there.

Here is just a little excerpt:

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

It’s all right there in that children’s book – Shit happens. Mistakes happen. “Failures” happen.

But the worst part isn’t that failure, but the “slump” you are in after it.

Because generally that slump is what TRULY holds you back.

And as the book says, “Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.”

Why is it not easily done?

BECAUSE WE EXPECT PERFECTION! Even though we know it isn’t possible.

So today stop stressing over little mistakes, little slip ups, little failures.

Take a deep breath and release all the tension all the anger.

Let the mistake go and get out of the funk. Don’t let a slump hold you back for longer than is necessary!

Learn from your mistake and move on!

On a side note….

Here are a couple of fun workout memes to hopefully make you smile and a couple of cool links to check out! (Plus a whole WARM UP GUIDE I just created with pictures!)

The toilet seems so low after leg day!

I love the minions

haha

Dedication vs. Motivation – by Colin at Uber Beast Mode

Liar, Liar, Legs on Fire: Deception and Other Mind Games to Help You Keep Running When You Feel Like You Can’t Go Another Step – by Charlotte at The Great Fitness Experiment (Thought this was interesting after reading some of Jen’s recent posts at Wine to Weightlifting…and after having to run lots of long distances…. BLEH)

Thoughts on Rest Days – by Abby at Back at Square Zero. Rest days are important but aren’t always easy to take. Interesting little discussion on them…

Taking another whack at the Olympic distance triathlon – by Caitlin at Fit and Feminist. Liked this a lot….So much of what we do is out of pride and to prove something to ourselves. It isn’t about whether or not anyone else knows but about showing ourselves we can do it! It is about working hard because WE will know if we slack off.

AND a few of my own in case you missed them:

Fixes for two common running injuries – Shin Splints and Plantar Fasciitis

Becoming a Beast at Any Age

Learn How To Do A Pull Up

How To Do A Perfect Push Up

(Included these last two because they are legitimately two of my all-time favorite moves and ones I think everyone should be able to do)

And finally….My new post about how to warm up…. 15 Simple Dynamic Moves for a Full-Body Warm Up