I was talking with a client last week who has a weight loss goal, so she’s been doing all the things… you know, drinking water, prioritizing protein, and focusing on real food and minimizing processed foods.
We started talking about what it’s like to be so honed in on a goal and how I don’t have to do that right now. This is true. I’m not trying to change anything with my weight, muscle mass or body fat. This is called maintenance.
But here’s the thing, I’m doing the exact same things every day that my goal-oriented clients are.
When you reach a goal, people think that maintenance is IT – “it’ll be so nice to not have to struggle” and also incredibly boring – “I need a goal to stay motivated.” Or they think they don’t have to be attentive anymore.
None of the above are true.
No Such Thing as Coasting
“Behind mountains are more mountains. One does not overcome one obstacle only to enter the land of no obstacles. No matter how successful we are or will be, we’re going to find things that stand in our path.”
Haitian proverb
My knowledge has increased and I don’t beat myself up anymore, but life is always going to happen. Always. Whatever process, effort, energy, focus, dedication, discipline, etc. that got you to your goal is the exact same thing that is required after that.
This is true for any business, relationship, body, or financial situation.
If you grow your business, do you stop telling people what you do?
If you’re in a relationship, do you stop going on dates with your partner?
If you get a job, do you stop looking at your checking account?
The same thing is true for our bodies. You can never stop paying attention.
I’m not saying this to be doom and gloom. Or to feel like you’re stuck and never going to get out. But what if the goal isn’t the most important thing and you can stop obsessing about reaching an “end point” based on some damn number?
Success means you’ve nailed YOUR PROCESS.
Success means you have so much devotion, that you don’t need to be motivated to take care of yourself with real food, it is who you are.
If you’re focusing on the above more than you are on the number, you will reach your goal. Period. End of story.
And then what…?
Maintenance isn’t boring at all, it means you’ve found contentment and are willing to put the effort toward maintaining peace and flow.
And here’s a revolutionary idea: what if you get there and allow yourself to be happy????
How crazy is that in a society that encourages us to set goal after goal after goal, but if you reach it, it’s always, “what’s next?”
I’m Restless
Thinking about what’s next is very natural for me… it’s why I have multiple certs and multiple professions and why my clients do yoga then weight lifting then mobility in the same workout. I’ve never sought maintenance. In fact, I’ve resisted it.
I love envisioning new and fun things. I can barely be done with one thing and I’m onto the next (if you want major insight into how I see the world, listen to this song about Enneagram 7s https://youtu.be/Yw4vYbTNJDc?si=L85CeA_SZ04fMuts). And yes, I’m always hungry for real! 😆
But I have a new respect for maintenance. It’s about accepting the abundance you’ve created, while staying mindful and grateful. It’s about being in the present moment. It’s about basking in success and not finding everything that’s wrong or immediately going into the next thing.
(And can’t we do this during the work of reaching our goals, too??? 🤔)
Maintenance allows for spaciousness. It also means you have the energy to give to others.
Maintenance isn’t standing still because life is always changing and there will be more obstacles. Maintenance means you can keep refining your process and connection to yourself and what is important to you. Maintenance means you can let go of more just for the sake of more.
So, how’re you going to show up when you reach your goal? Tell me, I want to know!!!
May you seek maintenance. May you allow yourself to be happy. May you develop a process that brings you success.
Many hugs,
Coach Laura
P.S. What I do isn’t about demanding you follow my process, it’s about building your confidence and knowledge so you can do it for yourself. I’ll be opening up coaching spots soon, plus a new and exciting online training program will be launched in the near future, so stay tuned!!!! It’s a dream come true for me.