Every year since I’ve been doing CrossFit, I have signed up for the annual CF Open. This 5 week competition is the first step in a 3 stage qualifier that eventually ends in the CF Games in July. 90% of our gym will not be moving on to even the second stage. However, we still compete as a way to measure our fitness from the previous months or year, put ourselves in a competition environment and have fun with our gym friends.

When I do the Open, I hope to have one or two elements or
obstacles that I try to overcome. Sometimes I accomplish it and
sometimes I don’t. I try to look at the big picture and be
realistic about what I can do and where I should challenge myself.
Obviously, when I do well, I’m momentarily happy. Satisfied and
proud that I accomplished what I set out to do.
But what happens when we don’t perform the way we expect?
What happens when things don’t go the way we want and
we’re disappointed in ourselves?
obstacles that I try to overcome. Sometimes I accomplish it and
sometimes I don’t. I try to look at the big picture and be
realistic about what I can do and where I should challenge myself.
Obviously, when I do well, I’m momentarily happy. Satisfied and
proud that I accomplished what I set out to do.
But what happens when we don’t perform the way we expect?
What happens when things don’t go the way we want and
we’re disappointed in ourselves?
What I’ve noticed in others (and myself) is how quick we are to critique ourselves.
Whether it’s comparing ourselves to others and feeling inadequate, or comparing ourselves to ourselves with critical internal thoughts. We seem to hold on to the negative much longer than we hold on to the positive.
Whether it’s comparing ourselves to others and feeling inadequate, or comparing ourselves to ourselves with critical internal thoughts. We seem to hold on to the negative much longer than we hold on to the positive.
We tend to beat ourselves up much more than we praise ourselves.
We don’t always take the time to consider what factors might have been at play.
How much did we actually work for that particular goal? What else was going on in our life that might have been a distraction? Were we realistic about our goals? Did we stick with a plan?
Was it just a bad day?
While a physical performance is very measurable, think of the areas in your life that you might be quick to judge yourself.
If you’re trying to lose weight, are you celebrating your successes? I made a healthy dinner 4 nights this week! Yay me! Or are you focused on the negative? I ate the whole bag of cookies, I suck!
If you’re trying to lose weight, are you celebrating your successes? I made a healthy dinner 4 nights this week! Yay me! Or are you focused on the negative? I ate the whole bag of cookies, I suck!
When I start going down the road of comparing myself to others or critiquing myself in a negative way it negates all the positive, hard work I’ve accomplished.
While self critiquing can lead to self motivation, we have to be careful that we aren’t spending too much time in the negative. That we remain honest and realistic about what we set out to do and try not to judge ourselves too harshly for our failures.
So give yourself a pat on the back. You're doing OK.
While self critiquing can lead to self motivation, we have to be careful that we aren’t spending too much time in the negative. That we remain honest and realistic about what we set out to do and try not to judge ourselves too harshly for our failures.
So give yourself a pat on the back. You're doing OK.