As I shared with you last week, I made a decision to join some of my fellow business- women and sign up and begin training for a race, taking place on Aug 17th 2014.
This was not an easy decision for me. I am what one might call a professional non- runner. Although when I was growing up, I was very active in various sports from ballet to gymnastics, swimming team to Judo, the one thing I always hated, and still do, is running. Despite how great I was at push ups and pulls ups, handstands and diving, I just could not breathe when I ran. I hated running so much that in the physical education exam we had to take in order to graduate high school (a requirement in Israel), I did every part with enthusiasm, but refused to run. A year after graduation, as I was off volunteering before the army, I got a note from my school letting me know I could not officially graduate until I came back to school to run one kilometer. I creatively found a way to get out of it, and did not run. I did the same when I joined the army, and although I served for almost three years, and became an officer, I used my creativity once again and never participated in the running expectations that were part of the physical tests along the way. I am that committed!
So why did I sign up for a race? A good question. I had every excuse in the book not to. My recovering ankle, my hate and fear of running, and at least ten more reasons I could come up with, without even trying. I decided to sign on because I recognized that I am afraid, because it is time to conquer this fear and make it my friend. My business coach often talks about the connection between training for races and how we function in business. Where do you stop and what holds you back? What do you tell yourself when things get hard and what do you do? It’s finally time for me to step into this fear I have been holding on to for a lifetime, and break down the wall I have built. Don’t get me wrong. This is not easy, and in many ways I am not looking forward to it. But on the other side of the fear, there is hope for many new opportunities. Even in the short time since I made the decision, and before I took any concrete action, the changes in my life are amazing! It is time for me to create in a positive way, and tell a new story about my ability to run.
Where in your life are you holding back because you are scared? What are the things in your life that you felt like you could, or should, or wanted to do, but instead created a story about, for yourself, that it was just not possible?
When you look at your daughter, where do you see her doing this in her life? Is she following your lead? What does she do when things get hard? What story does she tell herself?
I challenge you this week to step through your fear, doing one thing that you absolutely believe you cannot do, and just give it a try. Then challenge your daughter to do the same.
The only measure of success is that you took the first step.
Leave your comment below and let me know what fear you stepped through this week. I can’t wait to hear, and I am here to support you as take your first steps towards success
I have made a commitment, it is now officially on paper and shared with all of you, so I guess there is no taking it back. I expect all of you to hold me accountable!
Much Love and Support
Tova
4 Comments
Congratulations Tova! I was very much like you with a similar background and I also told myself that I was not a “runner”. Actually, it was my 4th grade PE teacher who told me I was not a runner (how dare he!). I struggled so much to just get my shoes on to run with my husband (who loves to run) and finally committed to running the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon last summer. I was also at the Zone event, and was blown away when Shanda talked about mile 10. At mile 10 during my first marathon I had a total emotional breakdown and was crying so hard I could barely breath. I kept running and realized I had let go of that old, limiting belief that had stopped me for so many years. People who are “not runners” don’t run 1/2 marathons! Good for you! Enjoy the process! I am following your blog, since I have a 12 year old daughter. Thanks for sharing with us! ~Kellee~
Hi Kelle
thank you for sharing your story with me. it is always good to know you are not alone. i keep finding stepping through my biggest fears while not always easy and sometime very hard, always yields the most amazing reward especially when I think it is impossible. how powerful our brains are. happy to have you with us – much love Tova
I love this post! I also did not want to sign up for the very same program and at first I didn’t sign up. But like you Tova I also realized I have to push through my fear so I too am going to rum a half marathon which I have never done before. But that leads me to thinking about my 12 and 15 year old daughters. Who is teaching them what I am now learning about abundance and facing their fears? That has led me to thinking about creating a summit for teens on leadership. And your voice is one I think of as an inspiration! Thank you!!
Keith: She came home with a half page of instructions and I broekn over half of them. The date they’ve given me to keep her isolated is March 19. As I type this she’s asleep in a chair a foot away from me.Pat: How funny you should say so. I’ve often said in words and voice that I think there’s a difference between writers and story tellers (and that I fell into the latter). Your comment made my dayAH: Lotus Land not to be confused with the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens burnt in the fires??? I want to go. Maybe a future weekend trip.