Something that I try to impart on the gymnasts I teach when they are trying new things or striving to achieve a skill they’ve been working on for a while, is that they have two choices; they can either believe that they can, or believe that they can’t, and to be mindful that whichever choice they allow their brain to make, it will almost certainly end up being their truth.
I get that this is a tough lesson for an 8 or 9 year old to fully understand but it is my hope that by offering life lessons and food for thought to their sponge-like brains, such as this one, I can help a child to realise their dreams. By encouraging them to challenge their fears, doubts and the negative voices, and instead help them focus on visions of success, positivity and self belief in achieving what they set out to, I have planted a seed in their minds, that just maybe, anything is possible.
While many adults may undersrand this concept, actually realising the power of self belief, of putting stuff ‘out into the universe’ and of refusing to ‘see’ or believe in any alternate outcome to a specific dream or goal, seems much more difficult to grasp. And therefore many of our grown-up ideas and dreams end up merely as ‘what ifs?’ or ‘wouldn’t that be nice?’ or ‘I couldn’t possibly do that’.
But what if you could? What if there was nothing holding you back? What if someone gave you permission to believe?
How would it feel to know that there might be the slightest chance that the dreams and goals you have kept hidden for so long could come true or be achieved? I reckon it would feel pretty amazing, liberating even and maybe a little scary too.
So can I let you into a little secret? In the words of my very favourite film, the Wizard of Oz:
‘You’ve always had the power, my dear, you just have to learn it for yourself‘.’
You may notice that I used a little poetic licence on the tense in the quote. Apologies Mr Baum. You see, it’s not enough to merely want something, desire an outcome or to consider alternates as options for what we hope to achieve. We must be able to really see our dreams, clear as day in our minds, in our thoughts and when we close our eyes at night. We have to truly believe in them; with our whole heart and talk about them with passion and energy and enthusiasm, sometimes to the extent which others may never understand and may even think a little crazy, odd, strange or otherwise.
I have my personal goals and dreams written on the mirror in which I do my make up every morning. Having them there reminds me everyday of what I’m striving for. I also have a pen next to my shower to capture my thoughts as they happen; I have a chalk board in my kitchen with positive words to help keep me on track; I have quotes and words of inspiration all around my house to help steer me in the right direction if I start to lose my way. But probably most important or all, is that I don’t ever give myself the option of a plan b.
I have set myself some pretty big goals in the last few years of my life and with very few exceptions, I have achieved every one of them, and its pretty safe to say that I am not done yet. In fact I know I have only scratched the surface on what I know I am going to achieve in this lifetime.
So don’t be afraid to let your brain wander to what seems like the wildest of places; let yourself imagine what might have once seemed impossible; giveyourself permission to dream and don’t just believe that you can…
…know that you will.
For more blogs like this but a little less gymnastics, click on the link below
https://justmaybeican.wordpress.com/author/ghmitchell37/