|
Were you a Girl Guide? Girl Scout? Boy Scout? remember their motto, Be Prepared?
Okay, I gotta ask... do you feel prepared?
What’s your go-to way of organising things for whatever task is in front of you, whether it be a trip to the grocery store or a two week long road trip?
Does the preparation allow you to more enjoy what you’re doing? Does it allow you to be more present in the experience? I bet it does.
Me I’m a list maker and note taker, that’s how I mentally prepare and help myself stay *ahem* so organised. (unfortunately my many, many lists are not only strewn about the house in some crazy arse piles, most of my scribbled notes are embedded on small pieces of paper next to completely unrelated content - can you relate even a smidge?)
Even though I have a scatter shot approach to my lists, here’s my hot tip, I take my list making/note taking skill with me into the Pilates studio and use it to organise how I approach my workout to get the most out of it not only physically but mentally.
Can we talk about housekeeping for just a sec? And I don't mean the clean the shower type of housekeeping - seriously, do you know anybody who in their heart of hearts really enjoys scrubbing a shower?🧽🚿🤣
Okay, have you ever been to a conference or event and the first thing they do is get the ‘housekeeping’ out of the way? You know… where the toilets are, where the emergency exits are, the schedule of the day (including the all important time of morning tea ☕️)
Do you ever take the time for some housekeeping of your own? What I mean is before you start your Pilates session (or any other physical activity, or just activity full stop) what do you do you prepare?
What housekeeping do you attend to so that you can get the most out of your class or session?
Here are a few questions for you to ponder...
Do you have a list that you run through before you get down on your mat? (water bottle, check, shirt that won’t ride up if my hips go over my shoulders, check, one last trip to the bathroom, check, and even - correct undies for the tights you're wearing, CHECK!)
Do you have a list of physical things you need to do to feel prepared to move? I don’t know about you but I can’t just hop down on my mat and start - I need to ease into it. I have a list of physical housekeeping that needs to be taken care of. This might include a warm-up for my feet, some knee sways and usually a a bit of either cat/cow or pelvic rock, depending on👇👇👇
If you have notes on yourself? You might ask: How well did I sleep? How’s my neck, shoulder - insert your niggle-y body part here - doing? Am I worried/distracted by things (other than your incorrect undies 🤣 )
My preparation - my lists - my notes on myself - allow me a more present and positive Pilates session and turns out what I'm talking about is that annoying self improvement 5 P thingy.
Ahem: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. (Which turns out to be appropriated and cleaned up from the British Army adage of the 7 P’s: Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance)😱
I'm changing it and my 4 P solution? Preparation Promotes inner Peace & Power
🙌🙌🙌 who doesn't want some inner peace and power??
I want to encourage you to gift yourself that Power and Peace by allowing a little bit of time to prepare for whatever project is in front of you. I'm pretty sure the preparation will allow you to find more enjoyment in what you’re doing and allow you to be more present in the experience - yeehaw.
Before (and during) your Pilates class or session use some internal check lists or notes; when you get down on your mat let them serve you, not as a form of criticism but to help you stay 100% present.
Of course this doesn't have to be limited to your Pilates workout, in my opinion a bit of personal housekeeping both mentally and physically can only help you prepare for success in whatever endeavour happens to be in front of you.
Remember to move and breathe and breathe and move your way through your day.
Be Well,
xBec
The opinions expressed and contained above are provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog are not intended to amount to advice. Rebecca Forde & Dragonfly Pilates & Movement disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this post.
|
Photo by 