One of the most debilitating cognitions you can have is to believe that perfection must be attained. This irrational thought puts an endless amount of pressure on yourself, causing both your performances and enjoyment for indoor cycling (or any other activity) to deteriorate. How many athletes have a perfect performance? We all know the answer…perfect performances are extremely rare.
Olympic athletes have high personal standards of performance and continue to push the boundaries in their sport. They consistently strive to be stronger physically, technically, strategically and mentally. They also understand the difference between striving for perfection and demanding they achieve it at every juncture.
One of the most debilitating goals you can have is to believe that perfection must be attained with every endeavor. This thought puts an endless amount of pressure on yourself, causing both your performances and enjoyment for indoor cycling (or any other activity) to deteriorate.
Even the most dedicated athletes often miss and fall short of objectives and the most successful people can experience setbacks. What separates the champions from the rest of the pack is their commitment to do whatever it takes to perform their best. They learn from the downfalls and enjoy the climb to new heights. No matter what happens day to day, their competitive edge is maintained by way of a commitment to personal excellence.
Whether leading an indoor cycling class or participating in your own training session, the best focus is on exerting the best possible effort you are able to put out in that moment. At the end of the day, you need to believe that you could not have exerted one more ounce of energy in your planning and execution. I’m not talking about “intensity here”, rather simply knowing that you performed your best on a given day. That is what will help you to persevere and participate tomorrow. After all, effort is the only thing you have 100% control over.
An understanding that you gave it your best effort will help you to improve and enjoy your participation. With every new day you will continue to push the boundaries in your commitment to excellence. In time, what might have previously been considered a personal best performance will be just one step further along your indoor cycle instructing journey.
Circle the response that best resonates with you. Stay as truthful to yourself as possible.