When was the last time you tested yourself?

This week is test out week here at Big Tree Fitness. Test out week is where gym members have the opportunity to post a new PR's (personal record) in their book and on the public board. The members have a chance to put the previous 6 weeks hard work to the test. Sometimes they will make new PR's and sometimes they won't. The PR number is not necessarily the most important part. The opportunity to evaluate the work done over the past 6 weeks is the important part. The test is just the end result, but if you don't test yourself, how will you ever know if you are making progress.

When we test ourselves whether we pass or fail can all be traced back to the work we have done leading up to the test. We all used to have to study for tests in school. Are preparation was a direct on how our test scores would come out. Now most of us have left school behind years ago, but do we still test ourselves from time to time.

In order to see progress we have to test ourselves. Testing on a physical fitness level is easy to put together and complete, but testing ourselves when it comes to our emotional and mental strength is much more difficult. This kind of test requires more time spent reflecting and asking hard questions about oneself. It may require asking the same questions to someone you trust. Someone who will be open and honest with you in a positive way. The emotional and mental test isn't a pass / fail test, but more of a progress test. This test allows us to see what we have accomplished. It also allows us to see how far we can go when it comes to self care and self improvement.

Every 6 weeks I test myself to see where my physical strength is at. It is a week that I look forward to. I know that I have put the hard work in and now it's time to test this work. Hopefully I will be happy with the results, but if not it's Ok. I will test it again in six weeks. I also take time to put my emotional and mental strength to the test. I do this each week when I spend time doing my "Thinking Time". I will always spend my last hour of my Thursday long runs to spend time reflecting on myself and what I have been working on. I will ask myself the hard questions and I will always be honest with my answers. I look forward to this time running in the woods and having this time of reflection. This time allows me to create the map to make all other parts of my life more successful for myself and those around me.

Don't be afraid to test yourself. If you don't take the time to test yourself, you will never know how far you have come and you will never know how far you are capable of going.