Guest blog post by Claire Bays.
The most important conversation you’ll have – for the rest of your life – is the one happening between your ears.
WHAT IT WAS LIKE
I grew up in a relatively small town in Oklahoma. We call it Shawnee, America. I didn’t grow up playing sports, wasn’t involved in constructive extracurricular activities, and got away with attending less days of school than I attended – yes, you read that correctly.
As you might imagine, I have a very strong sense of independence and quite a rebellious nature. I’ve been learning a lot these first eleven years of adulthood. Most of my lessons come in the form of running head first into walls (often repeatedly) in order to discover that they exist.
Growing up, I was the kid that got a job the week I turned 16 in order to get a phone and have a car with gas in it. Hard work AT WORK was hard wired. I’ve never doubted myself in that space. With enough hard work, I just believe I’ll figure it out (and I do).
This concept didn’t bleed over into other areas of my life until more recently though. I NEVER thought I’d be an athlete, have enough desire and ability to stop drinking alcohol, do things like complete the #75hard challenge and have a life that now feels limitless.
WHAT HAPPENED
What happened? I stopped EVER telling myself I couldn’t do things. Read that again. I have come to the realization that if I ask my body and mind to do things – and follow that up with action, I’ll do it.
I’m a CrossFitter. Five plus years ago, I came into that space with no foundation athletically. I was sure I’d never be an RX athlete, and I reminded myself of that regularly. But I kept showing up.
Today, I know that I am. Do I have many “weaknesses” to work on? I sure do. But do I know that my body is totally capable of being great? I sure do. THAT is what changed.
Do you ever look at something you want in your life and immediately rationalize why that can’t be you? It isn’t now, how could it ever be?
Buy in on those thoughts and guess what? You’re right. It won’t be you. You already counted yourself out. But what if you didn’t do that?
DO THE WORK
Want successful relationships?
DO THE WORK.
Go to therapy. Work on you.
Want a spiritual connection?
DO THE WORK.
Take action and seek what that is for you.
Want to improve athletically?
DO THE WORK.
Get a coach. Be coachable.
Want to start a new hobby?
DO THE WORK.
Be the “idiot” in the room. You’ll be glad you did.
Want to stop drinking alcohol?
DO THE WORK.
Plug yourself into a community that supports the version of you that you plan to become.
Did you notice my use of the word “plan” in that last sentence? I didn’t say “want” for a reason. Plan for it.
You are so much more capable than you even know. Our incredible brains try to protect us for a variety of reasons and they stop us well before we truly hit our capacity. FIGHT BACK. Change how you talk to you….and watch what happens.
Claire Bays is a 29 year old with an entrepreneurial spirit. She is a full time Real Estate Agent and Investor in the Oklahoma City Metro Area. She’s a CrossFit enthusiast holding a Level One Certificate in the space, travel junkie, cyclist, lover of American football, non-fiction book worm, big on family time, hyper-social, sober life advocate, Instagram #wannabeblogger who loves early nights and earlier mornings. Claire is truly happiest when given the opportunity to be of service to her people.
A Growth Mindset 
Leave a comment