Before I became a journalist, I worked as a university researcher and helped teach college courses. The most common complaint in the classes was always the same: The students wanted the professor to answer more questions. They felt that as the content became more difficult, the level of assistance dropped off. In other words, their lack of progress resulted from a limited understanding of the topic at hand.
As I set out on my own as a teacher and eventually an editor, I took my former students’ advice to heart: Always remember that your ability to educate is dependent upon the people you’re trying to reach—and their level of satisfaction. As an editor, it’s something that my mentor Ted Spiker put simply: Always know your audience.
So it should come as no surprise that asking the right questions is the spark you need to create the type of life transformation that seems improbable. But with fitness, nutrition, and health, most people always ask the wrong question to the wrong person. The catch?
Before looking outward, you need to ask one question of yourself.
Is there more that you can do for your health?
You see, when it comes to how you eat and exercise, the questions you ask typically focus on if you’re making an effort—not how much effort you contribute. The truth is, in some way we all usually lie to ourselves. We work hard and prioritize our well-being in different ways, but there’s more that we could be doing. If you want to create the type of long-lasting changes that will allow you to live a better life, or change your workout so you can reach a specific goal, or adjust your diet and lose more weight, you have to readjust your mind set. Working hard or putting in effort isn’t enough. Instead, you need to be honest.
Is there more you can do for your health?
Don’t confuse the question for stubbornness. Asking questions of others is a part of the process. Understanding nutrition practices and effective vs. ineffective exercises are essential if you want to improve your current way of life and exchange it for something better. Knowledge is the foundation of movement and change. But much like my former students, when things become difficult we oftentimes look to outside sources for answers. We ask question upon question, and when there is no response, we blame the system and reason that failure is not our fault if we’re not provided with the right tools. It's the same rationale that has short-circuited millions of failed dieters, and every person who ever entered the gym only to feel intimidated and defeated by a lack of knowledge.
It’s your responsibility to ask if you’re doing everything you can to make a difference before you point the finger at others. In the end, your success hinges on your commitment and willingness to do all you can to exercise, eat healthy, and make sure that you are invested in your personal goals. In fact, it's an approach that works for any situation in life. When you do this, you’ll psychologically prime yourself for more success.
So before you ask any more questions of others, I suggest you write down what you could do better and use that as the foundation of your health. Instead of worrying about all of the minor details, you need to look at the bigger picture of your role in creating sustainable change. You must make a commitment to what you’re trying to do, and what success would look like if you provided a complete effort.
What you learn might seem boring or unoriginal. But the specific answers you uncover doesn’t matter too much. What does is that you’re finally looking in the right place for your solutions.
- Adam Bornstein
Have a question for me or want more health or fitness information? Follow me on: Twitter @BornFitness, Google+, or Facebook
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