One Song at a Time (or, How I Get Through Life…and Spin Class)

I’ve been going through some stuff lately and maybe I’ve been spinning more than usual because it helps me for some reason. I was thinking about how hard it is. (Spin class, not life; though both at times!) Try it if you don’t believe me.

I was reflecting on the way I’ve learned to approach it. If I lay in bed and think to myself, “This 45 minutes is gonna be hard.” Or, “Do I have the energy?” Or, “Can I even do this?” I won’t even go.

Maybe spin class is not a metaphor for life but for the hard things in life, that are worthwhile but suck at times.

Here’s how I’ve learned to approach my spin experience:

I show up.

I don’t think about it ahead of time. I just show up.

Often there comes a time in the middle when I think, “Wow this is kind of hard.” And then I tell myself, “Just get through this one song.” The instructor tells me what to do and I do it to the best of my ability. Or I don’t. I go with it. Or I don’t.

But, and this is the important part: I don’t leave.

Sometimes I take a little break: sit down, spin slower, drink some water.

But I keep going.

This is what I’ve learned about life. Most things that are worth something involve vulnerability and a degree of risk. Many of them lead to loss and pain. That’s just how it works. Sometimes, when I am sad or hurt, I think I cannot make it through. I think, “Wow, this is hard. Maybe I should stop doing scary things like this.” But everything changes when I’m just here in this one moment; this one song. Everything is better when I decide to take it one song at a time.

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About the Author

Picture of Cami McLaren

Cami McLaren

is the owner of McLaren Coaching. She has been coaching professionals and leaders since early 2008. She runs Transformative Coaching Essentials, a coach training program that produces first rate Professional Coaches and "Coach-Style Leaders." She coaches individually and works with organizations to improve communication, time management, productivity and ultimately bring greater results.

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