Yesterday I was challenged. I needed a run or a workout that was not about damage control - timed intervals or worries about placement of the shoulder blade. I needed an all out sweat fest that involved a rocking Ipod play list and beads of sweat pouring off my forehead. I settled for conversation with my Physical Therapist.
As a personal trainer I listen for a living. Yes, I count reps and sets, plan goals, ask clients what they had for breakfast, and I come to work every day with my "kid's" goals in the forefront of my brain. However, I am most importantly a listener.
Yesterday, it was particularly hard to listen and not want to fix everything. I drive myself crazy trying to fix everyone's problems when listening is all a person may need at this specific time.
After I listen - and I say this respectively - I become burdened with the next step. How do I play a role in this? What are they going to do? How did they let themselves get here? Why do they not see their constructive habits. Hence the need for a run or a major pounding of the weights!
My PT said yesterday that all I really need to do at this specific time is listen and ask the right questions. At that moment I realized she was listening and asking the right questions, to me.
So today is the day we all pay a little more attention and listen. Try it. Practice the skill of taking each word in and forget about having the answers, rather let that person know that they are not alone in their struggle and they have the skills to pull themselves through. Maybe it would be appropriate to say, "Just listen to yourself."
Carpe Diem!
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