October Power Mantras for fitness & business

October is always a bit mysterious! Chilly air, costumes, candy, everything seems possible! In October 2009, my sister and I founded and opened the doors of MaZi Dance Fitness! Other than our lemonade stand, it was the first business we’ve had! Back then, boutique fitness studios were scant and there were basically yoga studios and gyms. Craving a dance workout that we knew and loved…and couldn’t find, we opened MaZi, without too much hesitation or fear, which I can now chalk up to inexperience! Since then, we’ve had other endeavors together and apart! Being a #bosslady seems sexy until you are indeed a Boss Lady and you realize how hard it is and you have to show the world what you’re made of.  I liken being a business owner to being a mama, only other business owners can look you in the eye and know what you’ve seen, what you’ve done, and what you would do for your business. Ha! 🙂 I would not change a thing! I love what I do so much, sharing health and fitness with other people and seeing them thrive! Fitness can also can be harder than you thought and also makes you do a gut check during each workout about what you’re made of!  So in the spirit of your potentially new entrepreneurship and fitness routines, here are some of my favorite mantras and a BONUS arm workout video from MaZi!

1. You had the power all along my dear! – Glinda, the Good Witch

I love this quote because very often we wait for someone to give us the power, the permission and go ahead. Well, guess what? No one is going to do that, only you. I always remind myself of this when I hesitate on goals and things I want to do.  In fitness, don’t keep waiting for New Year’s to start your program or your diet or your workout! You have the power to start NOW!

2. “Why are you stingy with yourself?  Why are you holding back? What are you saving for? Another time? There are no other times. There’s only right now. “- George Balanchine, New York City Ballet

Time is precious. And you might not get another time. I tell myself this almost everyday in my workout, with my kids, with my businesses. When I was a performing ballet dancer, every minute of training and rehearsal counted because you don’t have long to dance and perform ballet, you have what seems like minutes. If you’re not giving your all, it’s over. It’s the same thing when I’m doing anything at all even folding laundry. If I half- do it, I half get results. If I think I’ll have another chance to prove myself or to get this hour back, I don’t! I’m wasting twice as much time. This is easier said than done, BTW!

3. “Growth is uncomfortable.”  -someone said

Yes, those yogis are right. The pose begins as soon as you want to get out of it. Growth, change, success, whatever you want to call is pretty uncomfortable. I see this at MaZi and at home almost everyday. To get stronger and fitter, you go through discomfort and soreness. In business, it’s the same.  Every time we make a change, add a studio or a new class, it’s uncomfortable for us. When you’re a mom and you are expecting, my goodness, every day there is a NEW discomfort because you’re growing your baby! There is blood, sweat and tears. I think that the discomfort that stops us is not necessarily our own discomfort but the discomfort of those around us. Most of us want to make sure everyone around is happy and comfy! Make sure you’re not limiting yourself to make this happen. By the way, it’s very difficult to see that you’re in that situation but the people that are your support group will lead the way! Lean on them.

4. If you want to fly, you have to give up everything that weights you down. – Buddha

This is probably the hardest one.  When I see people struggling to lose weight at the studio, it can usually be attributed to ONE habit that is weighing them down. The hold over them is really tough, it can seem impossible to break ties with that one thing. What I always encourage them to do is to become obsessed with the desired results more than the thing that has hold over them. You have to ask yourself how bad do you want it? If you can’t give up the thing that’s holding you down, it’s gonna be really tough to get results. There has been times in my life where I have been unable to give up what weighs me down, so I’m not claiming perfection! When the time FINALLY comes and I do give it up, I always wonder why I didn’t do it sooner! If you’re afraid to give it up, just start with baby steps, make it a habit and when you start to taste the feeling of flight, you’ll get the strength to give it up.

5. There is nothing in nature that blooms all year long.

This is such a healthy, needed statement! Nothing blooms all year long, so don’t expect yourself to always be blooming either! Take that time to observe, dream and plan. It is great to take a step back so you can see the big picture. When it’s your time to bloom again, your light will shine brightly.

6. 99 % perspiration, 1% inspiration.

Taking a cue from the last quote, there are times where you are not going to be inspired, so accept it but do NOT stop the working.  Some of my favorite writers and choreographers have said that when they start work they aren’t always inspired. They go through the motions they SHOW up, they work through it and through that perspiration, the magic is created. When you wonder how some people seem to be in a perpetual state of inspiration, remember this quote!

7. “I don’t lose. Either I win or I learn.”

When you start a business or new workout program, you’re gonna go through what seems like “losses” to you. They are not. You have to tweak your thinking and believe deep down that you are learning. If you feel like you’re always losing, you’re gonna get discouraged. For me, starting this blog  I’ve had ton of learnings that I could have viewed as lost opportunities. Every day I lose or I learn, up to me!  You take these lessons and apply them to your future actions. Turn that disappointment into action.

Pictures by Samir Abraham, Chicago