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This article is reproduced with the permission of our partner, Trupo. When it comes to accurate freelancer representation in pop culture, we’ve seen slight improvements since the days of Carrie Bradshaw. One show that does a better job of revealing the ups and downs and the inconsistencies that can come with freelancing and non-traditional work is Broad City. Certainly Carrie’s life looks glamorous and a goal to strive for, but Abbi and Ilana have the lives that more people can relate to. Broad City and its heroines (also the show’s creators) have a hyper awareness of the grind of freelance life and job precarity. In one episode, Abbi receives an $8,000 check after finally selling her art and struts into the bank with Ilana, lip-syncing Drake’s “Started from the Bottom.” Now, as many seasoned freelancers know, Abbi probably should’ve set some of that money aside for taxes. Instead, after being pushed to her wits end by her roommate, Abbi tries to use the money to move. She sees a series of horrible apartments, struggles with her broker, and eventually decides to use the money to pay for her current rent for the next few months — giving herself a bit of security for the first time. In the same episode, Ilana has to find a missing remote because the cable company keeps fining her for not returning it and her bank account overdrafts. Obviously this is funny — especially because a lot of us have most likely been there before. But overdraft fees can really screw you over. These unglamorous mishaps and minor to major hardships are realities for many people, especially freelancers who depend on things like timely payments from clients. The characters don’t explicitly say they are freelancers, but they continue to work side jobs throughout the shows five seasons. Abbi works at Anthropologie (selling laughably named items like “robin’s nest Caucasian headdresses”), but eventually gets fired. She then turns to cater-waitering, working at fancy art events that she dreams of one day being invited to. Ilana works a bunch of temp jobs and briefly hits it rich while working at a fancy Manhattan restaurant. She's constantly trying to get her entrepreneurial pursuits off the ground, most notably her "phone wigs." In different episodes, the friends go to health clinics and a few hospitals. Ilana’s boyfriend, Lincoln, is a dentist who the women regularly go to for discounted root canals, fillings, and wisdom teeth surgery. This is arguably dancing on the line of malpractice, but you get the point — these non-traditional employees are forced to get a little scrappy to gain the insurance protections that most full-time employees have a right to. Through their show, Ilana and Abbi give viewers an in-depth, comedic, and absurdist front-row look at life as an at times either unemployed, part-time employed, or contractually employed twenty-something struggling with student loans and trying to earn a living doing what they love. In one episode, they Airbnb one of their apartments to earn some extra cash. They’ve worked as gym cleaners, babysitters, and paid interns. Abbi refers to Bed, Bath and Beyond as the most glamorous place to shop. She once goes on a shopping spree at Whole Foods while high on pain-killers after her wisdom teeth surgery, only to wake up to a horrifically expensive receipt. The characters hilariously show the reality of selling clothes at second-hand stores like Beacon’s Closet, demonstrating the infuriating and baffling concept of how you can choose between receiving $15 cash or $200 in store credit. When it comes to TV characters, unless it is used as a prop or a trope for the character, we rarely see the same outfit worn twice. It’s refreshing to see Abbi splurge on an expensive dress, overthink it to death afterwards, and then continue to wear it consistently to different events throughout the season. The characters are mostly having fun, but their finances and struggle to keep up with rent and bills is always in the background — they take busses instead of renting cars and we rarely see them go on vacation. Broad City successfully brought episodic income and financial insecurity to the forefront of its plot without making the characters stereotypical “gig workers” or overly-privileged recent graduates. The characters represent a burden many freelancers, artists, and creatives experience without letting it totally ruin the character's lives — a refreshing dose of reality and a much needed TV narrative change. While the show may be over, hopefully this is just the beginning of a more accurate representation of the growing norm of non-traditional work. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/01/31/what-the-show-broad-city-got-right-about-episodic-income/
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BUT FIRST…I’M LIKE, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT(Things I’ve appeared in, places I’m going, you know, important stuff) 1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Athens, Greece: Saturday, Feb 29th & Sunday, March 1st, 2020It’s official: This marks the sixth year in a row Dean Somerset and I are presenting together. We’re so excited to be coming to Athens to kickstart 2020. 2. Coaching Competency Workshop – London, UK: Sunday, March 8, 20203. Strategic Strength Workshop – Detroit, MI: April 5, 2020This will be my first ever workshop in the region! I’m expecting ticker tape parades. 4. Strategic Strength Workshop – Washington, DC: May 17, 2020SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK“How Often Should I Do This?” How to Answer the Homework Question – Dean SomersetWe’re not talking algebra here. Nope, this article refers to the “homework” (or drills and exercises) we trainers and coaches give our clients to do at home that help address stuff they need to work on more whether it be motor control. stability, bad breath, etc. 5 Unfriendly Low Back Exercises That Are Actually Good For Your Spine – Lana SovaRelax: No crunches were harmed in the writing of this article. Conditioning for Beginners – Mike PerryYou need “to earn your conditioning exercise.” Meaning, conditioning doesn’t have to revolve around near death experiences. For beginners the main goal is for conditioning exercise to be safe, effective, but still allows them to work hard. Read this article. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/01/stuff-to-read-while-youre-pretending-to-work-1-31-20/
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This article was first published by the IRS and has been reproduced with permission. Subscribe to IRS tax tips here. The earned income tax credit benefits working individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. EITC can lower a taxpayer's taxes, and even result in a refund. To take advantage of this credit, taxpayers must file a tax return and claim the credit. They should do so even if they don't owe tax and aren't required to file. EITC can be worth up to $6,557 for tax year 2019. Taxpayers should first find out if they qualify for the credit. Here are some things for taxpayers to consider:
Before claiming the credit, taxpayers should also learn the EITC rules:
Taxpayers can use the EITC Assistant to determine if they're eligible for the credit. This tool also estimates the amount of the taxpayer's credit. The EITC Assistant is available in English or Spanish. More information:via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/01/30/find-out-if-you-qualify-for-the-earned-income-tax-credit/
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This article is reproduced with the permission of Backstage.com. To activate your 30-day free trial as a performer, or waive the typical casting fee as a creator, use the custom code FLUCAST19 at checkout here. When creating a film, the director, actors, sound engineers, and producers all have to collaborate; their failure to form a cohesive team will lead to the project’s failure. Similarly, running a crowdfunding campaign includes several moving parts at once — each of which need to be attended to in pre-launch in order to get a community excited about a project and create a goal-smashing campaign. During my time as a crowdfunding consultant at Daly, I worked with filmmakers like Gary Hustwit (“RAMS,” “Helvetica,” “Objectified,” “Urbanized”), Mary Recine (“Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold”), and more creators in the product design and publishing worlds to successfully launch projects via crowdfunding. I’ve also watched the crowdfunding landscape shift and evolve in new and exciting ways, and other ways that have made crowdfunding for film projects more challenging. I’ve seen it all, and I’m here to offer my best advice for running a killer crowdfunding campaign for your film. How does crowdfunding work, anyway?At the turn of the century, crowdfunding as we know it today launched as a way for artists, designers, musicians, and more to get money for actualizing their project — overcoming a barrier often faced by the creative community. With the emersion of popular platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo in 2008–09, the rewards-based crowdfunding world blew up. Creators of all types realized that with a great idea, a strong message, and the power of a community, they could bring their projects to life. Essentially, crowdfunding is defined as “the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet” (Forbes). Today, several versions of crowdfunding are available online, like rewards-based and equity campaigns. For the purpose of this piece, I’ll be referring to rewards-based crowdfunding — giving money to a project in exchange for an experience, service, or product. How has crowdfunding changed over the years?Like many things living in the digital world, the crowdfunding landscape has changed drastically since its start. Nowadays, you need to do more than just hit launch and get a few press features to reach your funding goal. With the amount of projects going live on crowdfunding platforms, the fact that you’re running a campaign is becoming less and less newsworthy. For the success of your campaign, your efforts should be focused on preparing everything ahead of launch — primarily, finding your community ahead of time and making them aware that you’re creating something new and exciting just for them! You should employ strategic efforts to find your community, stand out from the crowd, tell a compelling story, and show your project in the best light. There are three steps to help make that happen: 1. Hone in on your community So how do you create a community online ahead of your launch? When it comes to crowdfunding, it’s all about having a solid email list to share your project with via newsletters — on launch day, all your subscribers will not only get notified, but will also have a link to click on that will bring them straight to your campaign page so they can donate. What’s more, those launch day donations will be key to setting you up for a successful campaign. To build your newsletter’s reach:
Having a mailing list to launch will be one of the most important things to set you up for a successful campaign. Find your community upfront, expand it, and have a plan to share your project with the world. 2. Invite your audience into your project A great part about running a crowdfunding campaign is having people deeply involved in what you’re creating. When backers donate to your campaign, they’re joining your team and helping make it happen before anyone else. So, try to think of ways you can give them exclusive access through rewards, like:
Of course, each project will vary in what you’re actually able to offer, so make sure you’re not over-committing. To start, it’s always good practice to offer whatever you’re creating at a discounted rate, to increase urgency and also thank your early adopters. From there, think of anything else limited and exclusive that backers won’t be able to get anywhere else so that they’ll feel enticed to back your campaign right away. 3. Look professional and stand out Let’s start by digging into things you should prioritize in order to get your campaign page looking and sounding professional. First, you have to be straightforward and concise. Your project title and tagline should be your “elevator pitch” — how would you describe your project in one line to someone who has no idea what you’re doing? Then, answer the important questions in your page: what you’re creating, why you’re creating it, and especially, how it’s different from anything else. Your campaign will be in a sea of other film projects, so make sure you stand out from the rest. Finally, have a friend or coworker read your copy to catch any mistakes, and check for consistency in your messaging. Your visuals are also key. If you’re using stills from your film, make sure they’re clear and paint your cinematography in the best light. To liven up your page, include graphics throughout that share unique information, a timeline of your project, or anything else that can break up your text. Hire a designer or ask a friend for a favor so that your graphics don’t look like a mess—it’s easy to go wrong here. And lastly, be open about your process, state of the project, and why you’re coming to crowdfunding. It’s important to be transparent with your backers, so you can gain their trust — it’s not easy to give your money to a complete stranger! Sharing what you have completed along with your clear plan of action will reassure potential backers, and make them see how dedicated you are. A project video isn’t required to run a campaign, but I would strongly encourage you upload one. Plus, you (hopefully) already have footage from your film to use! Here are a few other things to keep in mind on the video side:
The most important thing you can do for your campaign is to make sure it stands out from the rest. You have a unique voice, and it’s important to make sure that shines through in all your messaging—page, video, and beyond. Tell your audience a story that feels exciting, novel, or even relatable. Show them why your project is worthwhile. A final note…One of the best things about the crowdfunding world is that it’s constantly evolving. More and more campaigns are launched every day, and even though it can be a tough process, there are still plenty of projects out there worth launching—and more importantly, people who want to see those projects succeed. While it’s true that launching a campaign may require a bit more work, and a bit more people upfront, putting in that extra time will certainly pay off in the long run. So buckle down, strategically build out your campaign, and hit launch — you’ll have a whole new team of people on the other side waiting to join you and bring your project to life. _ Théo Münch via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/01/29/how-to-crowdfund-your-indie-film-in-2020/
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I’m stuck in the midst of an avalanche of entrepreneurial shenanigans this week, so apologies for the lack of content on my end. I do, however, have a first-class guest post from TG.com regular contributor, Shane McLean today discussing some common mistakes many beginners make in pursuing their health/fitness goals. But unlike a lot of articles with the same theme that go on and on and (and on) about what people do wrong, he actually provides some simple strategies to address things. Enjoy! NOTE: Be sure to check below for a special (and FREE) 4-week program offer from Shane. 4 Mistakes Beginners Make When Starting a Fitness Program (and How to Fix Them)Starting something is easy. This is evidenced by the crowds that pour into every gym after January 1st.And how many of these people are still in the gym after February 1st? Probably not a lot. They realize that a year’s worth of debauchery is not undone in four weeks, no matter what Dr. Oz says. No cleanse, no magic exercise, no magic pill or diet will undo all that unhealthy living. Like anything worth doing, it takes time and patience. If this sounds anything like you (or a friend) here are some other mistakes (besides impatience and listening to Dr Oz.) you need to watch out for when starting out your fitness quest. And if you recognize them and made them before, here’s what to do about it so you don’t do it again. Because learning from your mistakes is a good thing. And learning about a potential mistake (before you make it) is even better. 1. Changing Too Many Habits at OnceWhen you’re first starting, your gun-ho to get this show on the road. You want to hit the gym four, no, five days a week. You throw away your junk food and buy all the fruits and vegetables. And you vow to drink more water and less soda. However, the more you try to change, the less those changes stick according to Leo Babauta, the author of ‘The Power of Less.’ He states:
His research tells us that you will have an 85% success rate adopting one new habit at a time. Trying to change two habits at once the success rate to 33%. That’s a huge drop off. Trying to change more than one habit at a time is more likely to lead to failure than success. What to do instead
2. You Think Rome Was Built in a DayFollowing from above, because you’re making all these changes at once you (may) expect instant success. You feel the weight should fly off and the scale and mirror become your best friends. Hold your horses. Usually, it takes 4-6 weeks to see any visible changes in your body. During this time your nervous system, ligaments and tendons are getting used to the exercise you’re throwing at them. They’re all busy making new connections and getting stronger. Once this period is over, you’ll start seeing some changes when you flex in the mirror. The trick here is to stick it out and be patient. Because it doesn’t happen overnight, but it will happen. What to do insteadRealize it took you awhile to get here and it’s going to take some time to turn this ship around. You need to celebrate the small wins along the way. Even if you walked for an extra 10 minutes or did an extra rep of an exercise, give yourself a pat on the back. This helps keep you going. 3. Making Vanity Your Only ReasonSelf-improvement for whatever reason is a worthy pursuit. The trick here is to keep it going and to find your why outside of vanity. For example, training for a 5 k or bending over to pick up your kids without pain. Because when vanity is your only reason and if your results dry to a trickle, it’s easier to give up and listen to your thoughts that are saying this exercise thing isn’t for you. That’s why it’s important to find your WHY. Because when you have a deeper reason for your health outside of vanity, you’re more likely to keep going. What to do insteadSpend some time in self-reflection and ask yourself the 5 whys. Here’s an example. Why do you want to exercise? To lose weight. Why do you want to lose weight? Because I don’t like the way I look. Why don’t you like the way you look? Because I’m 35 pounds overweight. Why is losing 35 pounds important to you? Because I’m pre diabetic, have low energy and I can’t keep up with my kids anymore. Why is keeping up with your kids important? Because they’re young and I want to be a better parent to them for as long as possible. Boom. Now you do the same. 4. NOT Asking for HelpWhen everything is shiny and motivation is at an all-time high, exercise is easier. You’re going to the gym consistently; you’re eating better and you’re looking sexier. Everything is going to plan until you hit a roadblock. It could take the form of:
Then you either think power through it or you begin to drop off your good habits, little by little. Either way, reaching your goals is more difficult. But you still got this, right? What to do insteadI’m all about making it easier, (on myself and clients) not harder. This is why I enlist the help of a friend and coach to write my programs. Because a trainer who has himself as a trainer has a fool for a client. Please make it easier for yourself by asking for help. This may take the form of asking the trainer at your gym for tips to work around an injury or exercising when you have limited time. Enlisting help from your spouse or loved ones, so you carve out a little time for yourself for health purposes. Because when you don’t ask, the answer is always no. Wrapping UpStarting something is easy. The follow through and the ability to keep going is more difficult. Especially when things are not going your way. But, the only way to fail is to quit. And you’re no quitter, right? Do you need help with your exercise, getting started or overcoming roadblocks to be your best self? Download my 4-week program here to get you on the road to better health. About the AuthorShane “Balance Guy” McLean, is an A.C.E Certified Personal Trainer working deep in the heart of Louisiana with the gators. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/01/top-4-mistakes-beginners-make-when-starting-a-fitness-program-and-how-to-fix-them/
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The world can be a scary place when you find it difficult to connect with others or meet new people, and communicating with clients makes your heart race (not in a good way). Sure, you could skip meetups, conferences, and parties, and hide behind the copy machine whenever a colleague passes you in the hallway. The world seems so much safer when you’re on your own, and you don’t run the risk of looking petrified or saying the wrong thing. But when you avoid people, you miss so many opportunities to have fun and learn from others. Your unique perspective can even be inspiring to somebody else. Networking gives you a chance to meet people similar to you, which can enrich your life in so many ways. Of course, nothing changes overnight, so neither will your preference for solitude. However, if you stay persistent and dedicated, you can polish your social skills and become a more open person who actually enjoys the company of others. Here are some skills you might need to work on: Presenting yourselfEven when people don’t know you, they most likely believe you. If you approach others thinking, “God, I’m bad with people, I’ll say something stupid and embarrass myself”, you’ll probably look exactly how you feel: like a deer in the headlights. Don’t torture yourself with made-up scenarios. You are great just the way you are. Give others a chance to see that for themselves. Playing to your strengthsDon’t push yourself to do what makes you uncomfortable. Instead, lean into what makes you feel good. Don’t like to talk much? Listen instead. Observe, memorize, analyze other people’s behavior. Learn from what you see, hear, and experience. Asking for helpWhether it’s “Can you help me with something?” or “Can you introduce me to your friends?”, asking for help can feel awkward. But don’t be afraid. Asking for help will open you up, and people feel good about themselves when they help others, so it’s a win-win. Letting go of controlAlthough you never know what might happen next in a social context, treat it as an adventure rather than a potential threat. Who cares if it doesn’t go perfectly? Learning to enjoy networking is a process, and your skills will get better in time. Following own your tempoIt's crucial to stay realistic and not expect too much too soon. Respect your own pace and take it all one step at a time. Don’t expect to become a party animal or build a professional network overnight. After all, your goal isn’t to change who you are, but to open yourself and let others get to know you for who you really are. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/01/28/guide-to-networking-for-introverts/
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As a New York City Council member, and former New York Assemblyman, Rafael has dedicated his career to improving the lives of the people he serves. He worked to repeal the no-dancing Cabaret Law — which threatened venues that are important to artists and performers — and he introduced the "Right to Disconnect" bill to protect work-life balance for workers in the digital age. And Rafael has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the independent workforce; his support was instrumental in passing the Freelance Isn't Free law. Since its founding, Freelancers Union has played a critical role in defining the freelancers movement by giving this constituency a voice, and building strength through our community. There is still much work to be done. Freelancers Union is well positioned to support its members in innovative ways as the freelance economy continues to grow and present new challenges. Having worked with Rafael on numerous policy initiatives, I can attest that he is passionate, empathetic, and determined. In short, he is ready to lead Freelancers Union's next chapter. “I am extremely honored to follow in the footsteps of Sara Horowitz and Caitlin Pearce in leading Freelancers Union," says Rafael. "I’m looking forward to working on a forward-thinking agenda that will expand on the innovative support services the union is known for.” We will be in touch shortly with more information on opportunities to connect with Rafael. In the meantime, please join me in welcoming him, and take a moment to learn more about him here. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/01/27/rafael-espinal-named-new-executive-director-of-freelancers-union/
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BUT FIRST…I’M LIKE, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT(Things I’ve appeared in, places I’m going, you know, important stuff) 1. (De)-Constructing the Deadlift & Squat – Stoneham, MA: Sunday, January 26, 2020** THIS WEEKEND. Some seats still available if you’re bored…;o) I’m teaming up with Brad Cox of ACUMobility for this 6-hour workshop where we’ll discuss hip assessment and, you guessed it… … What will be unique about this workshop is the two perspectives we’ll bring to the table; myself as a strength coach in addition to Brad’s background in sports medicine and orthopedics. EARLY BIRD rate ends in two weeks. 2. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – Athens, Greece: Saturday, Feb 29th & Sunday, March 1st, 2020It’s official: This marks the sixth year in a row Dean Somerset and I are presenting together. We’re so excited to be coming to Athens to kickstart 2020. 3. Coaching Competency Workshop – London, UK: Sunday, March 8, 20204. Strategic Strength Workshop – Detroit, MI: April 5, 2020This will be my first ever workshop in the region! I’m expecting ticker tape parades. SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORK5 Reasons You’re Not Making Gains in the Gym (and How to Fix Them) – Sivan FaganI always appreciate Sivan’s “no BS” approach and, well, she;’s pretty diesel… …so you should listen to what she has to say. Causality, Correlation or Just Coincidence – Luke WorthingtonBefore you say something asinine like “performing bicep curls blindfolded will increase your Tinder compatibility by 117%” you should read this post by my good friend Luke first. The Most Dangerous Gym Equipment of All Time – Nick TumminelloNick doesn’t cover what you think an article titled as such covers. Great stuff as always. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/01/stuff-to-read-while-youre-pretending-to-work-1-24-20/
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Today’s guest post comes courtesy of TG.com fan-favorite, Justin Kompf. And by “fan-favorite” I mean his one fan, his mom. Just kidding. Justin’s my good friend, occasional training partner, and has written a ton of content for this site, but it’s been awhile… …and I was excited to see this waiting in my inbox this morning. The title of the email was “really, really good blog,” and, begrudgingly, he was right. It’s superb. Trashing the Word Can’t: It’s Either You Will or You Won’tOnly twice in my life have I deadlifted 600 pounds. I cannot do that now. There remains a plethora of other feats that I cannot do. I cannot run a five-minute mile. I cannot bench double my body weight and I cannot jump four feet in the air. However, I certainly can deadlift, I can run, I can bench press, and I can jump. Saying you cannot do a behavior is like saying you cannot ask out a person you like. You can, but for any number of reasons, you’re just not going to. In fitness, there are outcome goals and there are process goals. Process goals lead to outcome goals. Deadlifting, the process goal, leads to the 600-pound deadlift, the outcome goal. Reducing calories, the process goal, leads to a lower body fat percentage, the outcome goal. Processes cause outcomes. Outcome goals are not plausible in the here and now. You cannot achieve them now because they are in the future, and often far away. Process goals are here and now, and they are plausible. You can do them today. For process goals, cannot is often a misused word. It sets up a false narrative that allows for stagnation. Yes, with 100% confidence you can go to the gym and lift. Yes, with 100% confidence you can eat vegetables. Once cannot and can are used properly and the right words are used instead (“I don’t want to”, “I don’t feel like it”) you can actually move forward to different options or maintain the status quo. Your choice. A Clear-Cut Definition of Can and CannotAny student who has spent a semester in an introductory psychology class has inevitably heard of the importance of self-efficacy, a person’s confidence in their abilities to execute a task. Confidence in abilities plays a pivotal role in whether a behavior is initiated. For example, even if I wanted to Salsa dance tonight, I couldn’t because I don’t have the skills to do so. I could dance or move my body in a way that someone may be able to make an educated guess that I am dancing. But it’s not Salsa. In a 2016 paper, Ryan Rhodes, a researcher out of the University of Victoria, dived into how can and cannot are misinterpreted. Participants were asked to rate their confidence that they could do resistance training two times per week for at least 20 minutes on a graded percent scale where 0% meant cannot do at all and 100% meant definitely can do. After they recorded their answers can and cannot were properly explained. Cannot was described in a similar way to my 600-pound deadlift or 5-minute mile example. No matter how hard I try, I would have no confidence that I can run a 5-minute mile. Can was explained similarly to the asking a crush out example. The capabilities are there, you just aren’t going to do it. Note from TG: I can totally ask out J-Lo. (In my dreams). Once can and cannot were properly explained, confidence values for resistance training increased. Nothing really changed though, other than the understanding of the word can. They realized they could do it; that is, they have the capabilities. Prior to the explanation capabilities were considered the same as motivation. Stated otherwise, they had the capability; they just weren’t motivated. There we have it, can and cannot. If you have done resistance training or exercised within the last year even once, you certainly can do it. If you have had a single bite of broccoli you can eat vegetables. While the skill set may not be there to do a back squat or make a ratatouille casserole you certainly can do a leg press and put baby carrots into your mouth. It just might be hard, but entirely doable. Moving on, it’s best to trash the words “can’t” and “cannot.” What Can I Do That I Am Willing to Do?As a disclaimer, there are real “cannots.” You cannot do a back squat unless you have a gym membership or a squat rack. Nor can you go for a run without running shoes. Limitations are real but only exclude a small percent of us from exercise and improvement. “What can I do?” is going to be the first question, immediately followed by “what am I willing to do?” Goals necessitate a willingness for change. An opportunity-cost will always exist in a change effort. What am I willing to give up to get what I want? Drinking 30 beers a week is counterproductive to a weight loss goal. If you are lifting weights for 90 minutes you cannot simultaneously be watching Netflix on your couch for 90 minutes. Opportunities have a cost. If you’re not willing to give on anything, be honest with yourself, it’s a motivation issue not a capability issue. If you’re willing to give on something, then it’s time to design your change menu. Design Your Change MenuYour change menu is composed of what you can do AND what you are willing to do. If you don’t know how to do certain exercises it can’t be on your menu. Your menu would need to say “learn how to do X,Y,X” instead. If you don’t know how to write your own fitness program you cannot say “write my own fitness program.” It needs to be “hire someone to write my program” or “hire someone to teach me to write a program.” If you can do it, what are you willing to do? How much time are you willing to dedicate to it? Are you willing to go faster? To lift heavier? If you can run, what are you willing to do? How far, how fast, how many days? If you can lift, what are you willing to do? What exercises, how long, how many days? We often have lofty fitness goals, abstract visions of six pack futures, jaw dropping physiques. For the most part we are entirely capable of doing the things that would lead us to get there.
Match your goals to what you are willing to put on your change menu. I realize it’s just vernacular, but it’s words that tell us the story we follow. It’s rarely an issue of if you can do it. Arguably, most reasonable fitness goals can be chipped away at with time and persistence. It’s all a matter of picking what you can do right now and choosing goals that match what you are willing to do. About the AuthorJustin Kompf is doctoral student studying exercise and health sciences. He is a personal trainer in Boston at CLIENTEL3. You can follow Justin here and here. (He’s obsessed with his girlfriend’s dog). Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2020/01/trashing-the-word-cant-why-its-either-you-will-or-you-wont/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
April 2023
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