There’s quite a leap from my last post to this one. Truthfully, the middle stretch of the Qualification in Sport & Exercise Psychology (QSEP) felt like a grind. It was intense and demanding. As a result, I didn’t take many notes on my personal journey during that period.
However, with the training complete and the chance to reflect a couple of months later (from the comfort of the Caribbean Sea, as my reward), I took the time to process what I’ve learned. Less about the work, more about myself.
Just a quick preface—while I learned many of the following lessons during my QSEP journey, it wasn’t QSEP itself that taught them, but rather my supervisors. Their wisdom, guidance, and support not only enhanced my learning but, in some cases, made these lessons possible in the first place. The insights I gained were shaped by the words and mentorship of two highly respected practitioners, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
Impatience: A Strength and a Struggle
I am, without doubt, an impatient person. It’s something I always kind of knew about myself, but I never truly appreciated just how much it dictated my daily behaviour. Through my experiences with QSEP, I was exposed to various aspects of work and life that I wanted to pursue. I developed a clear vision of where I wanted to be and what I wanted to achieve. But the moment I started working towards those goals, I wanted results immediately. I wanted success now.
The problem? My mind races ahead of real-world progress. Growth, both personal and professional, is a process. It takes time. It requires experiences that can’t be rushed or forced.
Reflecting on my impatience, I realised it had ripple effects. I made mistakes in written communication. I struggled to articulate my thoughts clearly. This sometimes made me appear incompetent and, worse, feel substandard. In my personal life, impatience affected my relationships. I would get frustrated easily, even if something was in progress, it wasn’t quick enough for me. I became snappy, unpleasant. Not exactly the person I aspired to be.
For a long time, I saw my impatience as a flaw. Something to fix. But then, I heard Jane Wurwand on The Diary of a CEO podcast discussing her own impatience. She said it wasn’t just a weakness, it was also her greatest strength. Her impatience drove execution, enthusiasm, productivity. It made her a leader. That changed my perspective. I realised impatience wasn’t just something to control, it was also something to harness.
QSEP has repeatedly given me opportunities to recognise, evaluate, and adapt my level of patience. Now, I consciously work towards a balance, developing patience where it serves me while still allowing my impatience to fuel action and ambition.
Big Dreams, Small Steps
Maybe as a by-product of my impatience, or at least inextricably linked to it, I’ve always had grand ambitions. But I struggled with the next step. My eyes were fixed on the summit, but my feet were still at the base. My drive to achieve clouded my immediate decision-making. I could tell you my end goal, but not always my next action.
QSEP training and my work helped me see this through my service to others. My goal was to help people become the best version of themselves. But I often made decisions that should have come later, not as the next step. A simple example: weightlifting. I once attempted a 100kg deadlift when my body and mind were only prepared for 80kg. The result? Injury. A setback, both physically and mentally. I rushed. I tried to move faster than the process allowed.
The phrase climb the mountain is key. Climbing is a process, a progression. I now understand I have to embrace the step-by-step nature of success. One foot in front of the other. One step at a time.
Reflection Is Everything
I’ve always been introspective, kind of essential in my line of work! But during QSEP, I realised just how much how I reflect matters. It’s not just about analysing events or emotions, it’s about evaluating them in alignment with my values.
A key lesson? My actions often aligned with what was logical, but not necessarily with what I valued.
Take my strength training, for instance. There were times when I felt disengaged, fatigued, uninspired. When I reflected, I would come up with logical explanations, maybe my recovery wasn’t optimal, maybe my nutrition needed tweaking. But QSEP taught me to dig deeper. My training, while evidence-based and effective, wasn’t aligning with my core values—curiosity and connection.
With that insight, I changed my approach. I set a goal to train with a new person or in a new environment once a month to enhance connection. I experimented with different training styles, bodybuilding, CrossFit, endurance, to reignite my curiosity. I introduced friendly competition with my best mate to fuel my drive. These shifts revitalised my training because they aligned with who I am, not just what made sense on paper.
Reflection goes beyond logical analysis, it’s about understanding yourself. Why did I react a certain way? Why did that situation irritate me? What does that reveal about me? Your emotional responses to people, places, and experiences are clues to deeper self-awareness.
Reflection is everything. Without it, there is no change, no growth, no improvement.
“Not Everyone Thinks Like You Think or Wants What You Want”
This was one of the most profound lessons I learned during QSEP. And honestly? I still need reminding.
When I entered the programme, I assumed that everyone shared my drive, my ambitions, my hunger. But as I worked with different people, clients, colleagues, I realised the sheer diversity in motivations and mindsets. This lesson humbled me and deepened my ability to empathise.
One moment stands out. I was working with a client, discussing their goals, and I found myself confused. Their aim was to ‘feel better’, not to feel their best. It didn’t make sense to me. Why not strive for the peak?
I took this to my supervisor, who effortlessly reframed it: Some people just want to feel less bad. Not everyone is starting from the same place. Not everyone is wired to chase ‘optimal performance’, sometimes, the goal is simply to move from struggle to stability.
That moment was eye-opening. I realised I had been viewing people’s experiences through my lens, rather than stepping into theirs. Not exactly the most empathetic approach.
This insight continues to shape how I connect with others. It reminds me to listen, to understand, to meet people where they are, not where I assume they should be.
QSEP was a journey of self-discovery. It showed me the power of patience, the importance of small steps, the depth of true reflection, and the necessity of empathy. The work continues—but isn’t that the point? Growth is never instant. It’s a climb. And I’m learning to embrace every step.
Major shoutout to Dr. Jonathan Katz, top man.
Written by Natasha Bains
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