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It’s late Friday afternoon. I’ve just completed my first week of school and I’m leaving for the day when I run into the Atlanta Personal Trainer Program, Director of Education. We chat and somewhere in our brief conversation she says the exact words I need to hear – “trust the process.”
I need to post these words everywhere – on the bulletin board next to my computer, on my refrigerator, and in the sleeve of my class binder. Maybe as the screen saver on both my iPhone and desktop as well. These words need to become my mantra – they should be the first thing I say upon waking up and the last words I say before falling asleep. Until my belief in their message becomes second nature, I need to say these words over and over again. Because if I don’t, what’s there in its place is DOUBT.
One of my all-time favorite TV shows is Emily Owens, M.D. It’s about an awkward, insecure first year intern at a teaching hospital who gradually, over the course of the one and only season, grows more confident in her skills as a physician and more accepting of her unique blend of strengths and foibles. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be at the beginning of your training as a physician as the amount of stuff you don’t yet know would literally be staggering. And though the mountain I need to climb to become a great personal trainer is clearly not as onerous, it still feels high, steep and challenging.
I don’t love this quality in myself…that I get insecure and full of doubt when I don’t yet feel competent. I know that some people embrace challenges; that they actually relish stretching their abilities and feeling out of their depths. I would like to be one of those people but I’m not there yet. On the other hand, it’s pretty gutsy to make a total career change at the age of 62, right?
Rilke says to “live the questions” since we’re not yet ready to know the answers to “everything unresolved in (our) hearts.” I think that is another way to say “trust the process.” There’s a Part B as well – yes, I need to trust the process but I also need to trust myself. I need to believe that I am smart enough and capable enough to do this well. I also need to understand that it won’t happen overnight. It will take time. In the meantime, I need to have faith and patience, put in the hard work, and continue putting one foot in front of the other. In other words, I need to trust both the program and myself.
Guest blogger, Caren Feingold, APTP Student will be a regular contributor to the ASM Wellness Blog. Visit Almost Sixty Blog, for more stories of inspiration from Caren.
Wow, what an awesome blog. First let me just start off by saying, you look amazing for 62 and secondly, YOU GO GIRL!!!! I love it. For me personally at 51 and after working 32 years in corporate America and being laid off for the 4th time in my career, I was totally over it and decided I needed to be my own boss of my own passion, which is beauty. Now I am looking to get my license since I have my website already and my gift, now I need to legitimize my business and let the world know how serious I am about this. I applaud you for trusting yourself in order to trust the process and wish you enormous success. There are many unfit people right here in my family that need the service of health fitness, so I again applaud you. Making a career change is more of a mindset than a move to another job. If you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life” Marc Anthony.
Be continuously blessed.
Sincerely,
Shermaine “Shar” Marshall
CEO/FOUNDER OF CHANGING FACES MAKEUP ARTISTRY
http://WWW.changingfacesmake-upartistry.com
Founded October 2016 at the ripe young age of 50.
Hi Shar! Thanks so much for your positive comments and I apologize for the delay in responding – I’m only just now seeing them! I just visited your website and I’m inspired by your goals and passion. (BTW – I too have alopecia.) I wish you much success in the months ahead as you acquire the skills to do the work that is so meaningful to you. Best wishes, Caren
Wow! This article “Hit the nail on the head” in regards to where I am at in my journey of living in and following my life’s purpose. I was divinely guided into a career change (after being laid off) in my mid 40’s and God has continued to show me that I need to pump my breaks and “Trust the Process” and plan that He has for my life. Most especially now, after He inspired me to write and self-publish my first book. It is a daunting task that at times I was trying to rush and each and every time, I was prompted to slow my roll and be patient with and Trust the process! Thanks for confirming what I know is right!
Hi Alicia, thanks so much for taking the time to read my post and for responding. I love writing so I’m in awe that you wrote a book. I wish you so much success. Warmly, Caren