BY JOHN WITHINSHAW
Wasn't the England world cup game against Sweden superb?
This is coming from a non football fan and I really enjoyed it. A stark contrast to England teams of the last decade or so. Now, I'm pretty sure that much of this is down to the England manager, Gareth Southgate, he seems like a very calming influence on an eminently young squad.
This was evident on the pitch as the team showed patience and calmness. They took their time and built up a chance. As soon as they saw a chance they took it with a set piece. Ego seems to have been removed from the England Football Team.
I'll be the first to say that I had my doubts about them. I even got shouted down by my clients for being so negative. Tough ask when you've been through so many awful England World Cup and Euro experiences.
The important thing here is that they kept trying. If something didn't work they tried again - until they got the result they were after.
They made it look easy. They were cool, calm and collected.
Sweden couldn't deal with that.
You can treat your training in just the same way. Whatever you're training for or whatever exercise goal you have, patience is the key!
If something isn't working, don't be afraid to step back and adjust things.
Try a new set piece until you find the combination of things that work for you.
You may find that HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) doesn't seem to be having the effect it should. OK, so try a more low intensity program, maybe try weightlifting or steady state cardio.
Crossfit is the holy grail of exercise programs to many, but not everyone can speak the lingo.
It could be that a particular diet doesn't work for you. Try something different, there will be something that does, trust me. Weightwatchers or Slimming World works for some, not everyone. Intermittent fasting is a way of life for some folk but doesn't agree with all.
There is no such thing as a generic system that suits everyone all the time. We're all different and react/respond to different things.
You are unique and so treat yourself in this way.
Whatever you're doing right now, if it's not working don't be put off and think nothing ever will. There is something out there that does, you've just got to step back, research and find it.
This new England squad are growing all the time. They're learning as they go and getting some good results.
Ok, yes they've been a bit scrappy at times and found things tough, especially against Colombia, a totally different way of playing that they'd never met before.
They dug in and remained calm when Colombia were being downright dirty. Played the waiting game and ironically won on penalties.
I say ironic due to who their manager is, I'll say no more.
This is another lesson to be taken.
Gareth Southgate has taken England's weaknesses and turned them into strengths.
Imagine if you did that for yourself?
If YOU isolated your weaknesses and turned them into your STRENGTH, how would that affect you?
