Jealousy in the Gym

Perfect Patty.   Every gym has one.  She is the point flyer, last pass tumbler, and the one the coaches seem to dote on.   It is only  natural to be jealous.  Im sure we can all think of someone in our gym like her.  Picture this scenario:

You're attempting a new skill for what seems like the hundreth time.  You bust. Again. As you examine your rugburn, you hear the gym erupt in applause and cheers. You look up and see that Perfect Patty just landed the same skill you keep busting after only her third try.

It is only natural to immediately feel jealous...angry, upset, defeated.  She has just achieved something that you want.  But this is a good thing!  If you didnt feel jealous then you obviously didnt feel passionate about what you were trying to do! The key to dealing with jealousy like this is to use it to your advantage.

Instead of sulking out of the gym, crying to your friends that you stink and that you're never going to get that skill and giving up... why not take a step back and look at why you feel the way you feel.

Chances are you feel jealous because you wish that Patty's positive experience was yours.  You wish that you could land the skill. You wish that your coaches and teammates were cheering for you.  You know that feeling of accomplishment and utter joy when you land a new skill and you want that feeling again.  When you realize how badly you want it, you can find motivation in that.  It is not Patty that you are mad at, it is yourself for not accomplishing the skill yet. Harness that feeling.  Use it to remind yourself why you do what you do and get excited about making it happen.

Also ask yourself why you haven't landed it yet.  What is Patty doing that is making her so perfect?  Does Patty condition at home...and you dont?  Does Patty come to the gym extra and work on drills...and you dont?  Does Patty make every correction the coaches tell her...and you dont?  What is it that seperates her from you? Once you figure that out, use it.  Remember why you want it and make the change.

When Patty lands that new skill.... scrape yourself off of the floor, congratulate her, and then get back to work.  She did not land that skill by sulking, feeling jealous, or giving up and neither will you. Any time you start to feel jealous, take a step back.  Use it to motivate and to teach you.  That may have been her moment...but yours will be next!