Are you familiar with the terms “reps to failure”?

At some point we’ve all been to a gym, trained for a sport, dug a hole, shoveled snow or ran from something chasing us.  At some point we’ve exerted ourselves to the point where we feel it the next day!

The term, “reps to failure” means you've fully fatigued the muscle group you're working—can't push, pull, or lift one more rep without risking form breakdown.  If you’re training, you can do sets of three, or 10 or 15 and build on the number of reps for each exercise or you can take yourself to your true edge by doing just that little bit more.

It’s a powerful form of getting ready. 

If you’re training for a run, a competition or an event, you may have a coach, a timeline and expectation of what is required of you to rise to the occasion. 

But life does not always unfold on your timeline, opportunity doesn’t always clothe itself in recognizable ways and sometimes the biggest moments show up disguised as detours, delays or disappointments.  So how do you get ready for your personal quantum leap?

Aha!  ~ Do small things in bigger ways

“Doing small things in bigger ways” is gold because that’s exactly how the universe meets you halfway: in the details, in the energy behind the ordinary. It’s the compound effect in action.

A few small things ….

• Strike your power pose and breathe deeply … daily.
• Make your bed like you are royalty
• Use people’s names more often
• Add more natural light into your day
• Be present by keeping your phone on airplane mode during in-person convos
• Don’t just like, comment; even better, share!
• Finish what you start
• Study your craft for a few extra minutes every day
• Ground more often
• Save some for yourself
• Be impeccable with your word
• Write a thank-you note weekly
• Ask better questions (so you get the lesson)
• Speak more slowly and with more clarity
• When you don’t feel like it, do it anyway
• Finish your week like a coach; measure your progress, celebrate your wins.
• Smile.

Amplifying the little things isn’t just a discipline, it’s a declaration.  It’s a quiet, steady, “I believe in who I am and what I am building”.  It signals to the universe that you are in motion; in belief, in trust and in worthiness.

“I’m ready for my close up” ~ Gloria Swanson (in the 1950’s film, Sunset Blvd. playing the character of Norma Desmond).

This week in Human U we’re going to unpack each of these little action items because they all deserve some reflection and maybe a laugh or two! Do you have a favourite?  Join the conversation and get ready for YOUR close up.