Skill vs Will
Almost every one of the clients that I work with says something to a similar extent.
“Paul, this is different than any other workout I’ve done before. I really have to focus.”
“Man, I really have to think about what I am doing.”
“This is more mentally exhausting than physical. I mean, it’s still challenging my body, but I really have to stay focused.”
This has been a big part of my coaching for years, and I never really knew how to express this part of my coaching practice until recently.
Pre-Script is an online fitness and performance company, who I have recently completed the certification for their level 1 coaching course. Listening to one of their brilliant head coaches, Killian Hamilton, on a podcast recently, and he beautifully articulated one of the main focuses of their coaching program and this aspect I have been trying to hone in my own coaching for years now. It is this concept of Skill vs Will.
Killian explains, when we look at people that quit or fail, is it because this person lacks some innate ability to have the will or motivation to succeed? Is there something missing in this person that makes them less than someone else who does succeed? He would say no, and I would happen to agree. The problem is more likely stemming from a lacking in the skill department. The greater skill we have in any task, the more willful and motivated we are to partake in that task.
Let’s look at this concept in another aspect around health. People who are not skilled in the kitchen, tend to make fewer good nutritional choices. If my skills only extend to I barely know how to turn the oven on, I am way more likely to just call Uber eats and order something to just satiate me. However, if I am skilled in the kitchen, I would be motivated to spend time cooking there and would have a better understanding of different ingredients and how to use them. As we increase the skill in any aspect of life, we see a greater ability to have the motivation or will to do said task.
Motivation has never been a problem for me to workout. Why? Because I have put countless hours into developing the skill of moving my body. Crystal never doesn’t have the will to go for a run. Why? Because she has been running her whole life and has developed a tremendous amount of skill in distant running. You know what I do have a lack of motivation to do sometimes? Writing (like this blog for instance, which should have been done two months ago). As a kid, I never enjoyed writing, and I never took the time to hone my skills as a writer, so I have to rely on spurts of motivation to get anything done. When we have a good amount of skill though, we know we can go do the task and get the dopamine response for a job well done.
We understand the role of skill when it comes to trades or professions we want to do. Want to become a good musician? You need to increase your skill at playing an instrument and reading music. Want to be a good carpenter? You need to up your skills on using tools and measuring accurately. Want to be a computer programmer? You need to have sufficient skills in typing. However, when it comes to our health, we automatically assume it is because of a lack of motivation that we fail.
How can we use this skill vs will concept to help in all areas of our health?
Are you trying to clean up your diet? Maybe read some books on different concepts around cooking, or have a skilled friend teach you a few dishes. Work toward upping your skills in the kitchen.
Are you trying to get over some emotional or mental hurdles in your life? Maybe try to hone the skill of calming your mind with meditation or improve the skill of opening up by talking with a counselor.
Are you trying to improve your physical health? Let me help you increase your skill of moving your body, so you feel more motivated to do it on your own.
I’ll let you in one last little secret, that most trainers and fitness gyms don’t want you to know. The exercises you do or the form of working out you choose doesn’t matter. They will sell you on the latest workout trend, so intense you only have to do it for 15 minutes, or the most calm and relaxed yoga flow that is better than all the rest. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that does matter is if you have the skill to perform the workout well. If you don’t, then you are just like me writing this blog, smashing keys on the keyboard and hoping that I make a point. If you are looking to improve your physical fitness, I would love to help you develop the skills to do so on your own, so you can take those skills and go LIVE FREE!
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