lack of confidence

[kwill]

I started a pilates certification class a few years ago (the certification was supposed to take one year no more).  I find that I lack the self confidence to really go for it, so I keep procrastinating.  I've recently been informed that it will cost me for each month that I prolong my certification.  My question is should I just drop the certification and move on, or complete it (Im only 40 hours away from completing what was 250+ hours of training).  If I do complete it, do you have any suggestions to be able to keep a healthy level of confidence or approach to this work?  I have a 9-5 job that pays the bills but is not ultimately satisfying.  I've been a dancer my whole life and I'm fascinated with health, fitness, and the mind-body connection, so I thought pilates would be great for me, I just feel out of place in this particular environment.  I'd appreciate any advice!

Thanks.

[Jay Budzynski]

Hello

Please forgive my clumsy reply- as I am dealing with a rather nasty case of flu-

As you have done 210 hours- which is fantastic in its self- then doing 40 hours more will give you a few things- a sense of achievement- or for many people it would- it will open up a number of work opportunities- or at least it could- it will show you that even when you feel a little stuck- you can archive anything you want-

So if you was to feel confident right in this moment- how would that be?

Now if you was to feel really sad right now could you do that?

If you was to feel happy right now how would that be now?

If you could combined the two states of feeling confident and happy- could you allow your self to feel happy about feeling confident?

Now I know it's a little bit soon to jump into the future- yet just out of curiosity- if it was the day after your final day of training- and everything went really well- and you got top marks- if you was feeling happy about being confident in that time and you was looking back through time- from there into the here and now- how easy was being able to feel happy about being confident work for you now?

so times feeling out of place is just one way of learning how to be more flexible as your a dancer I think you will already have all the flexibly you need.

Jay   
     

[astro4u]

awesome Jay-and thanks- I have a simular problem and this helps

[Donstar]

I just drop the certification and move on, or complete it

What do you want to do?  Toss a coin, heads you quit, tails you continue...how do you feel when the coin comes up heads?  How do you feel when it comes up tails?  what do your feelings tell you about what you want to do?

If you were feeling confident, what would you do?
If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?
If you knew that you are the best decision maker in the world, what would you do?
If you knew that whatever you do, it will work out for the best, what would you do?
If no one was watching, what would you do?
Do I want to have this certification?
What would I do if I wasn't scared?

The answers to these questions will help you see what's going on - and be prepared to see past the 'I don't want to cos I'm scared of...', you may need to just acknowledge what's there so you can move on.  For example, I'm always scared by 'oral examinations', but once I acknowledge that, I realise that I am picturing scenarios of disaster...once I stop that, it's a lot easier!

I wonder what has contributed to the confidence crash?  When you think of finishing the course, what comes up?  What do you love about the pilates course?  What have you enjoyed about it?  Imagine that you are just going to do one more hour, what obstacles are there to that?  And one more?  And one more? 

If you do complete it, let it be ok to be a bit freaked at times, it happens!  When it happens, take a look at what obstacle is in the way today, take baby steps and remember that you are WONDERFUL!  Oh, and ask for help from the people who are surrounding you and want to help you.

Hope this is helpful.

Love

Donna.x