Fitness Romance SagaHere's What To Do When You Think You Suck at Something
October 27th, 2010 • 33 Comments | Leave a Comment »
Behold the child that is Greedy Kid #1. She’s not a natural runner, okay? She could only do 1-mile at best when she joined the Cross Country team (you know, the people who run 5K’s). Why the hell would she do THAT?
Greedy Kid went to the meets and was lapped by the runners as she came in last 100% of the time. She had to stop for walk breaks at every meet and got lost on the courses, so her coach had to go out to find her.
…just follow me, here.
Then one day Greedy Kid #1 called me from a meet. And she’s crying, saying how terrible of a runner she is. She wants to quit the team, but I told her, “Don’t do it. Finish what you committed to. I’m proud of you”.
Then something else happened. The coach told her NOT to come to certain practices and DON’T show up at certain meets. But Greedy Kid still considered herself part of the team at kept working hard. And soon, she ran a whole 5K… without stopping. And then one day, she didn’t come in last.
Why am I telling you this? When you think you suck…when other people say you suck. Keep at it. You can do it. Finish what you started.
And then we have my other child-spawn. It’s Greedy Kid #2….
He’s 14 years-old and a freshman in high school. While he’s currently running a 19-minute 5K, his goal is to achieve a 16-minute. The kid is already exploring the top colleges for Cross Country. Run run run, my Greedy Kid #2. Keep on running.
Two Greedy Kids. Two different stories.
What’s YOUR story on goal setting and perserverance?
33 Comments
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AlexandraFunFit October 27th, 2010 at 22:57
Here’s my story of sticking with your goal: My #2 son has special needs. Patterning & sequencing are hard for him. So he cannot sing to save any life at all. He is completely devoid of talent. But we did not tell him that. So he thinks he’s good (he’s NOT no no no). So he joined a musical theatre class and decided to sing a Michael Jackson song – by himself – in front of hundreds of people. We were silently cringing in non-anticipation. But two things happened – he was better than we expected (in other words, he wasn’t horrible; merely awful), and all the other kids were pretty bad too. So our dream came true in that he blended in. And his dream came true because he got to sing with a microphone in public. We are now encouraging him to stick with comedy. He wants to be a rap star. Either way, we love him (but still plug our ears).
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SoHelpMeKath October 27th, 2010 at 22:58
I will keep at this weight loss thing. And God willing, I’ll end up like Greedy Kid #1.
Thanks, kid.
And you can tell her I said so.
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Reinaldo October 27th, 2010 at 23:28
Good Lord, I want to beat greedy kid #1′s coach….Bad coach!
I finish a 5K, twice. And I’m like your daughter, not a natural runner at all.
Oh, and I sing karaoke when drunk. I’m pretty sure I’m worst than AlexandraFunFit’s child. I mean, my own ears bleed when I “sing”. But I just keep singing karaoke LOL
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Tweets that mention Here’s What To Do When You Think You Suck at Something | Yum Yucky -- Topsy.com October 28th, 2010 at 0:05
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Josie YumYucky, Kath. Kath said: RT Here’s what to do when you think you suck at something: http://bit.ly/9JPXAu …because you're NOT lame after all. (via @YumYucky) [...]
Emergefit October 28th, 2010 at 1:12
And here’s the story of a lesser runner… Sad, very sad:
http://contemplativefitness.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/race-pace-or-place-being-a-schmuck-is-a-humble-place/
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FatFighterTV October 28th, 2010 at 1:36
I’m so glad Greedy Kid #1did not give up. I’m kinda like that. Stubborn, some people call it. Yep, I guess stubborn is how I would describe my goal setting and perseverance.
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Miz October 28th, 2010 at 5:42
Im STUBBBBORN
)
my child? not so much yet (is it an age thing Oh YumYuck?) at least in the realm of ‘sports.’
(not sure we can call it sports at her age
I need to foster the tenacity.
spark it and make it grow and FLOURISH.
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Lance October 28th, 2010 at 6:24
Rock on Greedy Kids!! (and you too, Mom!!!)
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skippymom October 28th, 2010 at 6:27
Our daughters are related, right? Squirrel was forever getting lost on their practice runs, but she loved the sport so much she wouldn’t give it up – but then band came through and she dedicated herself to that instead.. Good thing too because I think would still be searching the neighborhood around the HS for her.
[And dayum you have some gorgeous children. Wow!]
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Jessica @ How Sweet October 28th, 2010 at 6:38
Excellent advice! My dad always said the same… and I’ve rolled with it.
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Marisa (Loser for Life) October 28th, 2010 at 7:30
I love her story! “Finish what you started” has been my motto for the past couple years. It feels good to persevere, even when you want to quit!
Such great advice you’ve given the Greedies
You’re a wise mama!
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Jules - Big Girl Bombshell October 28th, 2010 at 7:54
Thank you for sharing…and what an awesome Mom for not letting her give up!
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Jody - Fit at 52 October 28th, 2010 at 8:32
Josie, thx for sharing & I love your words to your daughter! My story.. check out my pic & that is it.. keep fighting no matter how old I get & how many hormones attack me!
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BK October 28th, 2010 at 9:39
Ok I really want to fight the coach who told her to NOT come to practice & some meets.. but I digress..
WAY TO GO.. Great advice to your kids.. I do the same with mine.. they will continue to be winners as long as we encourage them!
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Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman October 28th, 2010 at 10:39
First off, your daughter is gorgeous! And second, I can’t believe the coach told her not to participate. Way to inspire kids to reach their goals! Way to go Greedy Kid #1! To press on like that is awesome.
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DareToBecome October 28th, 2010 at 10:55
Oh I love this post. Sounds similar to my two kids. The son was the rocket and the daughter struggled, but they are BOTH #1 and so are your kids. Beautiful post and your children are adorable.
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Katdoesdiets October 28th, 2010 at 12:38
I think goal setting and perseverance is where it’s at! It’s how I’m changing my life, one goal at a time.
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Heidi October 28th, 2010 at 16:05
Those Greedy Kids are surely something amazing! How did you not want to beat the snot out of that coach?!
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Heidi October 28th, 2010 at 16:10
Those Greedy Kids are surely something amazing! How did you not want to beat the snot out of that coach?!
I’ve quit things more times than I can count, until recently when I failed to follow through with something and my husband bluntly told me how disappointed he was.
I took the easy way out until I realized how much my lack of perseverance hurt someone else. Now when I need an extra push, I just picture his face and push on because he knows what’s good for me.
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Quix October 28th, 2010 at 16:42
What a great story! Some people are not as naturally talented as others. I think I love my profession so much because I had to work hard to conquer it and become a good boss – my last position was too easy for me to be good at and I got bored.
When I was in gymnastics, I was the biggest and oldest one for my level. My coach would always put me first (you generally put your worst first). Then I started consistently hitting my routines where my teammates would fall, and I started making my way to the middle and even last at times… it just takes dedication and not letting someone else’s opinion guide what you do with yourself.
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Angelia Sims October 28th, 2010 at 17:27
Well, I ran a HALF MARATHON within one year of running for the first time.
I ran another half the next year on the heels (heh) of an ugly divorce that was emotionally wrecking. But I did it. And I am proud. I may have gained my weight back and let my greedy side have a turn but I do plan on making a comeback.
You’re kids are GORGEOUS and I wonder where they get all their will and drive from? Hmm..I think it’s from their greedy hero momma!
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Pamela October 29th, 2010 at 11:38
Thank you so much for this site! Your greedy kids are great!
I lost 20 pounds when I decided to start a training regimen to ‘run my first 5k’. I found it on a runners world web site. I signed up for the Susan G. Komen race for breast cancer and raised $258. Setting this goal and achieving it was the best ‘kick start’ I ever did to get my life back after being so depressed during my twenties because I was sexually assaulted when I was 18 by my own father. While that was sort of a good excuse for awhile, I couldn’t let it ruin my whole life!!!
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Melissa October 29th, 2010 at 12:31
I was Greedy Kid #1 – coming in Dead Last in a YMCA Fun Run at age 9. Now, I can hold my own as a Fun Runner. I teach fitness, pilates, Boot Camps, you name it. 3 Cheers for those Greedy Kids of yours. They have a great role model in Mom!
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Caitlin October 29th, 2010 at 12:40
This is wonderful and I love the lesson here.
Also, your kids are insanely gorgeous.
That is all.
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Alexia @ Dimple Snatcher October 29th, 2010 at 13:59
beautiful! i love these stories about your greedy children
honestly, i’m still always learning about perseverance and goal setting.
i always being inspired by the healthy living community.
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merri October 29th, 2010 at 19:33
Do you guys ever watch the show the middle? The girl, sue heck, is on the cross country team this year. She is SO proud to finally be on a team..and she is also SO BAD at it. But it doesn’t matter, because she loves it. That’s great that your daughter stuck with it. I am definitely guilty of usually liking only things I’m good at, or at least, not bad at. There are a few things I do that I’m bad at but have fun anyway – zumba, kickboxing, and dancing. Well, zumba IS dancing but still. I’m always trying to remind myself that it’s not the end of the world if I don’t do something well. So far, I havent learned my lesson as well as your daughter has!
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Karen October 30th, 2010 at 9:50
Kudos to those kids! And BOO to that coach. My son ran XC for two seasons and our team and coach were amazingly supportive. They stood out there and cheered on the very last runner, a boy who came in a very, very long time after everyone else had finished.
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charlotte October 31st, 2010 at 23:24
This might be my fave post of yours EVER. Your greedy kids are soooo adorable and I love your daughter for sticking with CC despite so many obstacles. That tenacity will serve her well later in life. And, holy crap, your son is FAST. You make amazing kids!
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Mary (A Merry Life) October 31st, 2010 at 23:48
Your kids are awesome! I love your daughter’s story.
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Ryan @NoMoreBacon November 1st, 2010 at 13:09
Does Greedy Kid #2 do any contract work? I’m looking for someone to be in charge of “acquisitions” for a new
gangcompany I’m starting. They need to be able to run really fast. I also need someone who has a never quit attitude because that’s essential when you’rebehind barson top. Greedy kid #1 would be just the right fit!Thanks for sharing this!
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Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) November 1st, 2010 at 19:36
Your kids are gorgeous and their stories fantastic. Love your daughter’s tenacity. The coach could perhaps use some coaching skills coaching!
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Marisa November 8th, 2010 at 8:33
Great motivation! I needed that.
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wirefly reviews April 7th, 2011 at 11:02
Keep trying repetition is the art of learning.
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