"Nearly there.”
I appreciate the encouragement. I would also appreciate a number.
Three repetitions? Twenty seconds? One more round?
Because “nearly” becomes remarkably flexible when somebody else is holding the timer.
Sport has a very creative vocabulary.
An “easy session” may still require a shower and a period of quiet reflection afterwards.
A “small adjustment” can occupy your attention for the rest of the morning.
And “last one” occasionally comes with terms and conditions that were not disclosed beforehand.
I enjoy the language of training. But when I am making an effort, precise information becomes particularly attractive.
Tell me what we are doing.
Tell me how much is left.
Then let me get on with it.
A clear finish gives the effort a shape.
If I know there are four repetitions, I can approach four repetitions.
If the instruction is vague, part of my attention starts trying to work out what the instruction means.
Are we continuing until the movement improves? Until the time ends? Until someone decides I have looked sufficiently committed?
Those are different sessions.
There are good reasons to adjust an exercise while you are doing it. Explain the adjustment, and I have something useful to respond to.
“Two more, concentrating on this.”
Perfect. Now I know.
Encouragement still has its place.
I like energy. I like enthusiasm. I like someone noticing a good effort.
But occasionally, the most encouraging thing you can tell me is exactly where the finish is.
Preferably before I begin wondering whether the timer has stopped.
The same applies to another familiar training instruction: “one more time.”
Silvia
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