While Bobbie LaPorte had to adjust her workouts around a broken pinky toe, her personal trainer told her that the most important thing is just to “stay in the game.” In her September 28 “Let’s Get Growing” video, Bobbie explores this idea and provides three helpful tips to help you “stay in the game” during these difficult and uncertain times.
Video Transcript: Stay in the Game
Hi everyone, Bobbie LaPorte here again with this week’s “Let’s Get Growing” tip…where I help you take charge of your plans and accelerate your initiatives as you head into the end of this year.
This week I wanted to take to share a story that I think is relevant for many of us.
With gyms in San Francisco just recently opening at very limited capacity, I am opting to continue to do my workouts outdoors with my trainer in a nearby park. I have come to enjoy these outdoor workouts. we’ve found creative ways to use the equipment in the park to get a full workout in, even while I am still recovering from a broken pinky toe on my right foot.
Last week my trainer directed me to do “step-ups” on the bleachers—but only to the bottom step, just 8 inches off the ground, much lower than I would normally do—I turned to him and asked, somewhat facetiously: “Is this what I’ve been reduced to?”
“Yes,” he replied frankly. “With an injured foot, you just want to stay in the game.”
I’ve been thinking about what “staying in the game” means, particularly in these uncertain and challenging times. Many of us feel limited in our efforts to take care of our work, our family, and ourselves. We can no longer connect face-to-face with our team or clients, and we are struggling to balance the newly blurred lines between personal and professional lives while we continue to shelter in place. Any commitments we might try to make to ourselves to exercise, take time out for a break during the day, or pursue some new interest seem to keep falling off our daily “to do” list.
So, what can we do to “stay in the game,” given all the demands on our time and how fast our world is changing? I don’t have the answer—but I do have a few suggestions derived from my own experience and what I am learning from the leaders I am working with:
- You don’t need to be an A+ player right now. Many of you are ambitious high-achievers who hold yourselves to the highest standards. That is fine for a different time, but not for now. Being a B/B+ player now is just fine.
- Every effort has value. I was listening recently to an interview with some of our disappointed Olympic athletes whose dreams to compete in the 2020 Olympics have been delayed. When asked how they stay motivated when the goal remains uncertain, many of them said that any kind of training they could do was worthwhile.
- Doing something is better than doing nothing. Don’t hold off to get in the optimal workout, the perfectly planned client conversation, or a super special family outing. We know from behavioral science that just taking small steps can be very powerful.
Think about how you can “stay in the game” every day. I’d love to hear from you on this subject!
That’s my “Get Growing” tip of the week. I’ll see you next Monday… remember to see this time as an enabler, not a liability or a time to “pause”, waiting for certainty to return.
Take care of yourself!