Pause for Maximum Growth
I have been working with a personal trainer on strength training the past several months.
Heather is awesome! She not only provides the “what” to do but the “how” as well. One of the things she stresses is the rate at which I perform the reps. Each exercise comes with a set of numbers which tells me when to pause during the rep {aka tempo}. The tempo numbers ensure that I will get the most out of the particular rep. According to Heather, I get the most muscle growth when I pause at the point in the exercise where it is hardest, or in other terms, the muscle is under the most stress.
I got to thinking about this fact and realized that I have seen the same to be true with Life Coaching. When life is the most mentally+emotionally difficult, there is most potential for personal growth.
When I reference a “pause” at the point of emotional stress I am not necessarily recommending a pause as in a rest. Just as in strength training an ideally placed pause is not a rest pause but rather a growth pause.
Did I mention that growth, both for our muscles and emotions is HARD?
Heather told me that when I am pausing during a rep I should say “Mississippi 1”. That was helpful because my brain likes to protect me and counting quicker may have been happening as the muscle was being taxed. Muscle growth happens as I just literally pause and hold a position for a bit longer than is comfortable.
Emotional pauses may begin as a recognition of a painful physical response; followed by witnessing, respecting and recognizing the pain. Curiosity is always an option that will foster personal awareness and growth as well as humility and open mindedness. My “Mississippi 1” version for emotions may come in the form of a series of questions to ask myself.
As I alluded to earlier…in strength training pause does not mean rest. However, equally as important to the pause is the REST that is written into every one of my workouts. In between each of the series of reps is a period for rest; allowing your muscles a chance to relax and prepare for the next set. And, yes I most certainly support taking rests for both mental and emotional growth as well.
But today’s post is all about the potential in the pause.
I remember several years back when my husband and I were going through a very struggling time; I felt all the feelings: anxiety, denial that we were experiencing what we were, and the need to get busy. Sometimes over engaging or over functioning can be a symptom of avoidance. I believe it was for me. I remember at some point my husband saying, “I just hope we learn all we can from this.” His statement caused me to pause and realize that maybe there really was a purpose to the pain I was feeling. This perspective shift was very helpful to me. The reflection brought about personal responsibility and accountability {aka pain}. It was not easy, but provided growth and maturity.
Next time you go to the gym, I highly recommend paying attention to your tempo and leaning into the strategic pause.
If you find yourself in emotional stress, I also recommend a strategic pause.
Both pauses may bring pain with them, but will also offer personal growth. Increased strength may not manifest itself immediately but with consistent commitment to transformation you may just amaze yourself with your increased capacity to move through this experience we call life.
Just as Heather, my personal trainer, helps me maximize my experience at the gym, so can I, as your life coach, help you maximize personal growth through your emotional pauses. If you are interested in what this could look like, click on the button below and set up a FREE consult.
I’d love to help you in your pause.
xoKathleen
