The amazingly smart people at Peloton are giving 90-day free trial memberships right now (though I apologize if the deal is over by the time this blog posts, as I've gotten a little ahead in writing since I don't have much else going on). Anyway, I've been trying to keep active by walking outside a lot and by doing the amazing workout videos Peloton offers. (No, this isn't a paid ad for that company; I'm just honestly impressed with the variety of classes and the quality of the teachers.)
Anyhoo, in one of the classes, the teacher was giving a tidbit of encouragement, and she said, "How you do anything is how you do everything." Wow. That hit me harder than a...no simile is coming to me, so just really hard. Think about it for a minute.
There's no such thing as, I'm half-assing (sorry, if you don't like swear words. I've been locked in for a while) this, but I'll take that seriously. The old line, "I'll eat whatever I want today, but start paying attention to my health tomorrow," is bologna. Saying, "I just need to get this finished and then I'll buckle down to do good work," is garbage. Those excuses and lies don't make sense with how our brains or muscles work.
If we take shortcuts, our bodies are programmed to follow the same path the next time. If we try to find the quickest way to get things done, if we don't worry too much about the quality, if we continually say, "Good enough is good enough," then we get better at finding shorter and easier paths to completion. Our results get faster and faster, but worse and worse. In short, we do what we have always done.
On the other hand, if we work hard and try to do our best at one project, then we know what working hard and trying to do our best means on the next project. In fact, we probably work harder.
Is this line hitting anybody else the way it hits me? Doing well enough isn't the same as doing well...and it's certainly not as good as terrific. I liked the fitness trainer's reminder to aim for terrific. I might not ever reach it, but I won't get stuck in the garbage pail of just getting by.
On the other hand, I can see the advantages, when the world is in crisis (which it is now) and we're not living in situations that we've chosen (as many aren't), of aiming for survival. So I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes, the circumstances might not allow for excellence, and that's okay, too.
What do you think?
My mother sometimes gave me these messages: “Anything worth doing is worth doing well” yet at other times. “Just give it a lick and a promise.” I guess I had choices.
Hi Jean, I’ve never heard the second one, but I love it. Right now, especially, while the world seems wonky, sometimes “good enough is good enough” seems like a more reasonable motto. I like the “lick” and “promise” as one might help relieve and the other offer hope. Neat pair. Thanks for sharing, Carita
I’m pretty sure I can half ass some tasks and work hard on others, but I agree that learning to work hard on anything helps you work hard on other things.
Hi Viveca,
Wow, you have a great name and sound super smart; I wish I knew more people like you. Thanks for commenting on my post.
I agree with every part of what you wrote. We can do some things half way and still have the ability to work hard on others, but that ability to work hard takes practice.
Love, c
HA!
Also, I just heard Jessica Simms say this on Peloton today. Thanks for tipping me off to their free trial. I’m loving it!
xo
You found her. She’s the one. I’ve been loving stacking strength workouts so that I get each body part. The instructors are pretty amazing. I’m glad you’re enjoying the site, too.
“xoxo” is the CDC-approved way to show love these days. Back at you, c