Do You Think You Deserve It?

I just got back from the gym, and the goal was to build to a heavy set of ten front squats.  Front squats aren’t easy for me.  Walking in, I already had a number in my head that I should stay under if I wanted to make it through those ten reps unbroken.  Throughout the workout, I was thinking “am I going to be able to make it through the final ten?”

Instead, I should have been thinking about the hours of work I’ve put in at the gym and the hundreds of pounds I’ve lifted before today. I’ve earned those ten reps.

I had a horse show last weekend.  Before walking into the arena for my round, I thought “I hope this goes well!”

Instead, I should have been thanking myself for the late nights training in the barn.  I’ve already done the work, why shouldn’t it go well?

It’s possible to be humble and confident at the same time.  Let’s try to reframe “am I going to get it?” into “I’ve already earned it.”  If you don’t think you deserve great things, why should anyone else?  And one more parting question for you: what’s the point of working hard if you never open yourself to reap the benefits?  Whether it’s a job offer, a travel opportunity, more income, a PR at the gym, whatever it may be – you deserve it!  You’ve already earned it.