Robbing Reps

I’m squatting, you’re spotting.

The goal: 12 reps

Reps 1-3: no prob

Reps 4-7: not bad either, but I’m starting to feel it

Rep 8: It gets hard and I start to struggle a bit

You jump in and do the last 4 reps for me.

I feel better, you feel helpful… but my reps have been robbed!

Obviously this wouldn’t be a very effective approach. If you step in and rob me of 4 of the most important reps every time, progress will be limited.

We would never do this in the weight room, yet we do it all of the time when it comes to learning.

We finish their sentence, give them the answer, solve the problem, and remove them from the challenge.

Just like muscles, skills are built. They’re built through reps and practice – especially the ones that challenge and stretch us.

Problem solving
Bouncing back from adversity
Dealing with change

Are three important muscles (skills) that we all need to develop.

But it’s impossible to get good at them without practice:

I can’t get good at solving problems if you solve them for me.

I can’t get good at bouncing back from adversity if I’m never allowed to fall.

I can’t get good at dealing with change if I’m not allowed to experience it.

Coach me, support me, cheer for me – but please don’t rob my reps.