A career in the fitness industry can often feel like trying to sell a snowball in Siberia.  

We ask people to do uncomfortable things they don't know how to do, to take time away from family and work, and to do it for the rest of their lives, all while paying us to push them. It's not a glossy cover model pitch that only takes a few minutes a day to reach your dream physique, lower stress and eliminate health risks. Many people will go with me for a while and then surrender to what experience has told them is their best. Previous attempts can be a good history lesson, but if we believe they are also our predisposed future, we miss the chance to take a risk. The great thing about risk is the chance that we will not succeed, we'll learn what didn't work, and try again in a new way. 

So how do we know if we are giving our best in our workouts, our careers and with our friends and families? If we are asking that question, there's more to give. During exercise, we recognize our best with high heart rates, muscle fatigue, short breaths, decrease speed and range of motion. Yet even in these moments, we can continue full of effort when we are inspired to go beyond what our experience has taught us. Motivation to excel against physical, emotional and mental fatigue can come from competition, great coaching and modeling. You may attach inspiration to things you hear or goals you've set, someone you know or just know about. That last kind of attachment is one of the most powerful bonds because of the emotive connection we make when we aspire to be like or around someone who is excellent. This is one of the most powerful things about giving your best...YOU become the inspiration. Your effort to be your best is not only effective for reaching your goals, it is even helpful to those who are leaning on you. Helen Keller may have said it best..."When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another."

This week, make it one of your purposes to give your best, no matter what you have, no matter what you're doing or who you're with.  Be excellent not just for yourself, but to be a gift.

Happy Thanksgiving from KLivFit!