One of my favorite fitness gurus, Dr. Sara Solomon, is a jump rope aficionado. Her rope tutorials are inspirational and make jumping look so easy and effortless. (Check out her moves: https://youtu.be/a3U_4wwM4os )
I bought one of her ropes a couple of years ago and gave it a whirl.
Guess what?
Jumping rope is HARD. It takes timing, coordination, and a lot of energy. I tried it a couple of times and then hung it up, literally.
A couple of weeks ago, I got tired of that pink rope mocking me from its peg on the gym wall. I vowed to finally learn how to use it properly.
Let’s just say, I’m still a work in progress.
My current record is 30 consecutive jumps without blowing it. My average jump count is stuck at around 8-10. It’s so frustrating. But guess what? The little pink rope does its job. Even though I haven’t mastered it, I’m still getting a great workout every time I practice.
Although I started out with a simple goal to learn how to jump, I’ve discovered a secondary benefit that’s just as important. See, it would be really easy to hang that rope back up and stop trying. I’d have less frustration, fewer bruises, and no shin splints. I exercise alone in a home gym, so who would know if I quit?
I would know, that’s who. I set a personal goal and I intend to see it through. What will success look like? I think 100 consecutive jumps would constitute a win in my book.
I’m learning that keeping my word is important, even if it’s only to myself. Goals are promises or agreements we make with ourselves. We should honor them with as much intention as promises made to someone else.
Most of the time, if we don’t follow through with private commitments, nobody else knows. But we know. We feel the sense of failure, no matter how small the issue.
2019 has been my year to Finish. I’m learning how to follow through and finish projects. So tomorrow morning, I’ll be back at it, spinning my pink Sara Solomon rope and hopping around the basement. When I get to 100, I’ll let you know.
What is a small goal you’re working on?