One of my favorite sayings is: If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.
These past seven weeks, I know, have presented their fair share of challenges for you. I know there have been moments when you white-knuckled it and chose a clean, healthy meal when you really wanted to cave. I know there have been days when the couch felt so much more appealing than the gym. And, sure, I know there have been times when you missed a workout or made a rather nutritionally-lame food choice. But you picked yourself back up and kept charging. And you’re stronger for it—not just in your body, but in your mind.
With each rep, each breath, and each day that’s gone by, you’ve been given the ability to make a choice: Cut and run or focus and win. We all have a boat-load of weaknesses and there are always going to be decisions we wish we’d made differently.
But right now, I want you to focus on your strengths. Remember the times during this challenge when you succeeded. Even the tiniest little win is a big deal. Key into those moments and build yourself a mental highlight reel of all your successes.
Picture them clearly—like a movie on a big screen, right in front of your eyes. Feel the emotions you felt during those moments of triumph and let them fill you up.
Maybe there was a morning when your alarm went off and you just didn’t feel like getting out of bed to do your workout. You stared at the ceiling and thought about hitting ‘snooze,’ but you didn’t. You got up, got dressed, and dragged your butt to the gym. It wasn’t easy, but you did it. And when it was done, you felt like a million bucks.
Or maybe there was a time when you went out to eat. You did a great job keeping your meal clean, but then the server came back over with the dessert menu. As sure as the day is long, you wanted that dessert. But, you passed on it.
These may seem like small things, but they’re both major wins.
Think back over the previous weeks and really search your mind for your wins. Let those memories come back to life. And make them bright, strong and vivid.
Building yourself a mental highlight reel can help you create a positive mindset anytime you want. Just close your eyes, play that highlight reel in your mind, and suddenly you’re in the zone. You’re simultaneously proud of yourself, grateful for your accomplishments, and ready to tackle the next challenge.
It can even help break you out of a funk—and we all know those happen. Just give it a try for a few minutes. When you’re feeling down on yourself, close your eyes and play back your victorious moments. Remember that you’ve conquered before—and you’ll conquer again. That confidence will help you reach happiness and success in every area of life.
Give it a try—just for five minutes. Build that reel and you can start to build a whole new level of happiness and success in every area of your life.