I climb smoothly and effortlessly – like a monkey

Alternatively, I could easily have titled this blog post: “How to get faster, stronger, smoother, etc…without training any harder.”

Affirmations (like the title of this blog post) are positive statements of what you want to happen, but stated as if it already has happened. They are a mental training tool to build self-confidence, which, as research consistently finds, leads to success.

I recently took up indoor sport climbing as an alternative to my regular exercise diet of swim, bike and run. I enjoy the challenge of learning a new sport from scratch.  The quality of climbing talent at the Boulder Rock Club where I climb is impressive.  In between climbs, I’ll often watch other more experienced climbers tackle routes that I’m too intimidated to try.

Taking lessons and regular practice will make me a better climber, I have no doubt, but  I’m also using the affirmation “I climb smoothly and effortlessly and smoothly – like a monkey” to train my mind into believing that I can do just that.

I’ve written my affirmation on a 3″x5″ notecard that I’ve taped to my computer monitor so that I see it and read it out loud everyday. I also repeat this to myself before every climbing session and before each difficult route that I climb.

I’ve used also affirmations for triathlon in the past, too, like:

• I swim gracefully like a dolphin.
• I run with the lightness and speed of a gazelle.

Give affirmations a try. It’s like legal doping for your mind.  Just be sure to make your statements both positive and present tense.

Live strongly and boldly!

David

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David B. Glover, MS, CSCS
Athlete, Author and Coach
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine: Fitting Iron Distance Training into Every Day Life
Web: enduranceworks.net

© 2010 David B. Glover