Focus On What You Can Control

Fitness and exercise can teach us lessons that go beyond a workout. Taking lessons from fitness and applying them to our daily life.  Learn how to focus on what you can control.

 

Control What You Can Control

One of the greatest things about exercise is the lessons it teaches and focus and control. There are an infinite number of things beyond our control. As a novice runner I can quickly get tired and out of breath, wanting to just stop. While maybe I can’t control that initial first thought about wanting to quit, I can control the thought that comes next. And, in the middle of my exhaustion, I can also focus on the parts of my run that are in my control. 

I can focus on my breathing, I can focus on my running form (something I have really struggled with), or I can distract myself by counting my steps or playing music. (And when I truly need to rest, I allow myself to do that as well.)

Thinking about what we can’t control can leave us feeling anxious and frustrated, focusing on what we can control can make us feel confident, empowered, and give us a sense of achievement.

Focus On What You Can Control

More than anything, I think what has surprised me the most about committing to an exercise routine is the lessons I have taken out of my classes. Like focusing on what is in our control when things get hard.

Exercise is challenging. Not only is doing the actual workout challenging, but just finding time to squeeze in a workout can be a challenge. I like to plan out my workouts for the week. Having those goals to focus on really helps me get them done. It also gives me a sense of accomplishment. I also write out to-do lists for work and for other tasks and check them off when they are finished.

There are many parts of our lives that are challenging, from our workplace to our homes. And there are many aspects of our lives that are beyond our control. But some things are always in our control, including our attitudes. And I can always stop, breathe, and then refocus, both on the track and anywhere else life takes me.

Three things we can control:

• Our attitude
• Our effort
• Our actions

And always remember, progress not perfection.