By: Jennifer Hefner
BECOMING YOUR BEST YOU
“WE CANNOT BECOME WHAT WE WANT
BY REMAINING WHAT WE ARE”
~ Max Depree~
If you could paint the perfect picture of the YOU of your dreams, what would that look like? Have you ever stopped to think about what you would like your best self to be? Do you view yourself as worthy of a healthy, happy self? Have you ever looked at someone you admire and wonder what it is they do to be so healthy, energetic, and thriving?
Working with my college student athletes, I always challenge them to push themselves out of their comfort zone, to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This helps athletes compete at a high level and perform under pressure. Sometimes my players need a push to understand that college academics and athletics requires more from them than what they were accustomed to in high school. I always tell them to recognize a teammate that is successful both in the classroom and on the court. Watch what they do, ask them about their training in the off-season, ask them how they organize their time.
For any of us working on becoming the best versions of ourselves, we should be looking for inspiration just like my college players. Surround yourself with positive people. I truly believe you become who/what you surround yourself with. Hearing kind, encouraging, positive talk can help in creating a positive you. Limiting your time around negativity or being aware of it is crucial in becoming a more positive self.
Knowledge is power! If you want to know how to improve your nutrition or need help with training for a 5k- ASK! RESEARCH! If you don’t ask you will never learn. That friend or co-worker you see bringing their lunch, opting out of the morning donuts, going on walks at lunch, looking healthier each week- go talk to them! Pick their brain! Ask them about their routine, about their nutrition plan. Find out what it is they are doing to create their best self.
READ! Reading can do wonders for helping you gain motivation and confidence. If you aren’t sure what to read, again, ASK! Asking friends, trainers, or life coaches for examples of great books is a great place to start. Most successful people love to share what has motivated them or helped them in different areas of their journey. So ask away!
I think about babies and children. They learn by watching and mimicking what they see. Their little brains are sponges, soaking up everything they hear and see daily. This is exactly what we need to do- watch inspirational people and do what they do. You might surprise yourself at what you learn to incorporate into your journey to your best you.
I think about myself and the life I want to live. Will I ever be a professional runner? No, but that doesn’t mean I can’t train and become my best version of a runner. Am I a professional chef? No, but I certainly can create healthy, delicious meals for myself and my family. I can search Pinterest and the internet for new recipes. There are so many areas of my life that I can succeed in at an obtainable level.
In your quest to become the BEST version of YOU, remember not to compare yourself to others. That might sound strange after I told you earlier to surround yourself with successful people and do what they do. But to clarify, don’t compare yourself to them. Your best and their best will be different. You should focus on being better today than you were yesterday. Make better food choices today. Go a little longer on your walk or run today than you did yesterday. And remember, this journey is yours!
~Jennifer Hefner, HH Mindset Coach