Just get started, and keep moving.

I have recently had a few conversations with friends and clients regarding where to start, or that they have goals and seem to be at a stand-still, at a loss, if you will. One of the sayings my wise "old man" once told me, that stuck, was, "Just get started. Even if you move in the wrong direction."

A lot of times, we get stuck on in the decision-making process mode. Where we think we have to gather as much information as possible, do all our research, and get our ducks in a row, before we take a single step. Then, once we gather the information, we think, "Oh man! There's so much I don't know! And what if I've been researching in the wrong area???" We get overwhelmed, throw our hands in the air and storm away, disappointed.

I have a friend: super strong, super capable, super smart, successful....a mom of TWINS and the wife of a Marine. She's got SO much on her plate and has SO much going for her. BUT, like many of us, she gets frustrated with where to go in her training, and once into it, how to progress. A specific example is her pressing. She's been keeping up with me, using the Enter the Kettlebell program (by Pavel Tsatsouline). She's an ex-professional gymnast, so she definitely has the strength and guts to take on the program, heavy.

This week, I'm pressing the 20 kilo for 5 ladders of 2 rungs, each. (Next week I'm shooting for 3 rungs on at least the first ladder. My goal is to get back to pressing the 24kg.) In the program, you match pull-ups with the presses. It can be pretty brutal on everything, not to mention your grip. So my friend, says to me, "I can press the 18kg (she doesn't have access to a 20kg bell) but then it just stalls." And I say, "right about here?" Meaning about the point where her elbow would make a 90* angle. Shes say "YEAH! How'd you know?" That's the sticking point. She's been frustrated and thinking about bailing on progressing, because, like most of us, she thinks she has to be perfect to do any of it.

On the contrary. The first time I got the 20 back overhead, I'm sure it looked more like a bent or side press, than a strict military press. But, I got in the reps, I got the successes under my belt. I modified my groove as I progressed each day. So, I coached her to train around and through the sticking point....train for success in your workouts, not failure, and you will get better, stronger, faster, smarter, whatever it is you're wanting.

Don't stop because you can't be perfect. And if you can't figure out a way around or through the failure, sticking point, whatever, find a good coach, an educated friend, or just talk through it with a training partner. Sometimes talking is the best way through our fears and self-imposed barriers. Make sure you talk with someone that's legit, and not just going to blow smoke up your you-know-what.