I am fessing up & sharing a secret I've kept the last couple of weeks. First, it's important for you to know that I've been a "perfectionist" for as long as I can remember. It is my greatest asset in that in makes me constantly strive for better, but at the same time, it it my greatest weakness because it holds me back from becoming great at something if I allow it. I sucked at teaching in the beginning. Filming videos scared the crap out of me. I was willing to suck at it in order to get better. More recently I caught myself slipping into my old ways when I went bouldering with my husband. I wasn't good at it. I expected to be, but truth be told, I sucked! My lessen was in reflection of the experience & then in the decision to go back at it & be willing to suck so I have a fighting chance at becoming GREAT. Do you have perfectionist qualities that hold you back? Where can you go into something new & be willing to look like a fool. Be willing to suck?
My husband is quite athletic and when he was younger he had a lot of success at track. So one day, I got it into my head that jogging would be good to try. I was not on a very specific or constant workout regimen but I thought, huh, how hard can that be? Super duper sucked at it. Couldn’t get my breathing right, walked more than I ran and yet, doggedly persisted until I could get some distance between rests. I really never got beyond suckage as I had sprained my ankle in my dogged pursuit and had been adding to the injury by continuing to run. My ankle looked pregnant. Running was not for me. Tennis I thought would be a good thing to try. Love watching it on tv, huge fan. So my husband and I got some rackets and headed to the courts. Supreme suckage. Couldn’t for the life of me get the deer in the headlights look off my face as the ball was being returned to me. Then we kept at it. My serves got better, I got better at ball placement, made my husband run like a rabbit for shots he usually missed. We both got better. Together. Because I was willing to suck.
Excellent example Teri. That’s what I’m talkin’ about.
Wow! Great insight Dana! Thanks for posting this. Your tid bit series has been so helpful. I would have never guessed you sucked as an instructor. That is one of the things I love most about your workout videos! I started a new bootcamp that is challenging my body in ways that I’m not used to and I have found myself feeling recently like I suck when I’m at class. I’m going to take your advice and change my thinking. This is a challenge not a failure!
Thanks again Dana!
Here’s to sucking at bootcamp!!!! go get ’em girl. you can do this. (& remember to laugh at yourself along the way, it will make bootcamp class way more fun!)
First of all, sorry for my english, I’m from Quebec and I don’t have the chance to practice it very ofter. Dana, I want to say that I TOTALLY LOVE what your doing and all your hard work, I also want to THANK YOU for sharing a little of your personnal issues in life…I SO recognize myself on that one, and I am EXTREMLY greatful that you share it with us. I am one of those too, I wish and work hard everyday to be the best in everything and I put a lot of pression on my shoulders, and knock on my head if I think I’m not good enough.But I am aware of it and I started working on it, but i’ts just funny how the timming of your video is perfect .I really appreciate to see that someone who’s a MODEL and an INSPIRATION for me have the same issue. It’s the firt time I post a comment on the website, but I watch your videos every week, and it really help me to stay motivated. Since I can’t hit the gym (as a student, it’s something I can’t afford right now), I have to workout at home (I’ve been working out for years and I am a total junky about it), and your website is in top of my ”favorite” list. I love the variety of your workouts, but most of all, your energy! Keep your good work, and again Thank you very much for that awesome project, it worths it, it makes a difference in my life, and I’m sure in many others life too.
Thank you so much for sharing Melanie! I so appreciate your comments here – YES, I’m human just like you & although I was nervous to share some of this stuff, I am so glad I did. I realized that if I can say it out loud, it may help others – such as yourself – be a little less hard on themselves & a bit more comfortable to be well, uncomfortable!!! 🙂 Thanks for following girl. Keep up the good work (both in school & in life!) xo
I got really inspired by you Dana. I will make my 1st video this week no matter what! I am willing to suck now. Thank you!!! PS: would you dare to post as an example one of your most sucking videos? (lol)
haha! glad this inspired you Juan… DO IT!!! What’s so funny is that even tho I felt like “this totally sucks” when I was filming, it actually didn’t when I watched the video(s). I was just being ridiculously hard on myself. Once I got into teaching mode, the video camera kinda didn’t matter b/c my message took over! 🙂