focus

I run a CrossFit box and at times it can be pretty challenging. Managing the day to day operations of your very own business and dealing with all the different personalties that come through our doors. Yes it can be tough but it’s extremely rewarding – especially when an email like this lands in your inbox…

Ben,

A couple of weeks ago you achieved something that my mother has been trying to get me to do for 33 years…….and you did it with one word.

You spoke to Kylie and I after a session about focusing when we’re training and how we need to block out everything else that is going on and just focus on the lift. You said girls aren’t very good at doing it because we’re always thinking an hour, a day, a week ahead, and you’re right. I know I am always thinking about what I need to do at work that day or what i’m going to take for lunch, never mind what’s happening on the weekend!

So I have spent the past week really thinking about what you said and paying attention to how I do things, and how many things I try and do at the one time, and it was really confronting. I realised that I really don’t give people and tasks my full attention, I am always half listening, thinking about a million other things that are going on or that I have to do. Then it finally dawned on me, the reason I feel like I never get anything done is because I am only half doing everything. I might get a report done at work but when I have to discuss it or justify it, I can’t remember what’s in it or where the data even came from, let alone be confident in the integrity of the data.

It’s also made me look at what sort of manager I am at work. I am so busy thinking about what my team is doing and working through things with them while I am doing my own work, I never really give them the attention they deserve. They do great work and I think I’m good at recognising it, but they shouldn’t have to fight for my time.

Then there’s my training…….thinking about what I am going to have for breakfast, am I going to have enough time to make lunch when I get home this morning if I have to wash my hair, and the meeting I have at 10am that I’m not properly prepared for all while I am back squatting – really not working for me. (Yes girls really do think waaaaay too much!) You talked about getting in the zone so it’s just me and the bar – I’ve tried this before and it’s never really worked for me…..the reality is that i’ve never really committed to it being just me and the bar.

In two weeks I have blown my snatch out of the water, with a current PR of 40kg; a new front squat of 60kg and can finally string cleans together so I’m finishing WOD’s before the timer. Sean is embarrassed by my happy dances at 5:30am, but I feel awesome about it!

It’s made a huge difference in all aspects of my life in the past two weeks, including my health. My stress levels (real or perceived) have dropped dramatically, my reactions to things aren’t quite as, well let’s say dramatic, I’m not getting frustrated as easily and I find I am actually enjoying doing things a lot more because I am taking the time to do them properly. When you can get us to shut-up and listen it really makes a difference.

A few weeks ago now you were pretty bummed about losing a couple of cool Adapt peeps to Cartel. Becca told you that you’re not measured by those people and that you have so many success stories you can’t get weighed down by things like people choosing a different path.

She’s right and I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you. You’re an awesome coach and I know I really believe that you guys want to make us the best person we can be, not just the best athlete.

Bec