I heard this some time ago and want to revisit the concept.
There are 3 levels of quitting:
1 The first time you quit something it is hard...really hard.
Most people don't like to be known as quitters. It takes a lot to walk away from something that you started or at least that is how it should be. Interesting that when I was in 1st grade I quit youth wrestling cuz I got my face wiped all over the mat. Today I train a lot of ground in martial arts and train some of the top wrestlers in the state of Minnesota and also write for one of the top NCAA wrestling coaches in the game today. Coincidence? Doubt it. It's back to haunt me and force me to deal with some childhood memories. Amazing that some seemingly small circumstance can subconsciously control us when we are adults if we do not put it in the proper frame of reference.
2 The second time you quit...it gets a little easier.
Each successive time you choose to quit softens you and your tenacity. Don't give up. You will conquer your fears only if you see it through. Thousands to possibly millions of people are setting their 'New Year's Resolutions' as we speak saying 'I'm a gonna do this and I'm a gonna do that starting the 1st of the year." I challenge you to NOT be one of them who forgets what the resolution is by the end of the second week of '07 including all forms of dieting and exercise. It's best to enlist some accountability from a friend or hire a trainer or business coach. Amazing how accountable we become when we put money on the table.
3 The third time you quit...that's what you are. A quitter.
The more you quit the easier it becomes and then a host of habits creep into your life that you may not even be able to recognize since you are 'in' it constantly. A difficult habit to form is persistence especially if you don't have experience in sports. Not that sports are the end all. However, sports do teach persistence. There is always an individual or a team that is better and gunning for the top. Somewhere someone is practicing and when you meet him in head to head competition, he'll beat you. When you think about quitting, you might be one training session away, one deal away, one person away from the mother lode. Stick to it and see your goals through.
We've all quit something in our life. Maybe it was OK because your plate was too full. In that case, you were probably in the right. Make a habit of sticking it out. You never know what will turn up on the other side. You might just chalk one up to: learning experience :)
20061218
20061207
I PERSIST Without Exception
Continuing the Andy Andrews series...
Principle #7
I PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
I must find a way where there is no way. This might be the most lacking topic in American culture today. I hear excuses all the time why someone can't do something. I 'cannot' do that really means I 'will not' do that. And I will do or not do whatever I tell myself. Amazing how we get in situations that we don't necessarily like...WE manifested them into place!!
An example that is on my mind...
We have become very lazy due to technology...so much to the point that I see 10 and 12 year-olds who are 20lbs overweight riding motorized scooters to the store 3 blocks from his/her house!! What happened to bikes? What happened to running/jumping/playing? Or how about this? Go to any ball field...football, baseball, soccer, whatever and tell me if you see any kids 'playing' and creating their own rules and games without the structure of organized team sports. My college strength coach called me the other day to tell me that he was sitting on the side of the road by a park where kids were playing pick-up football. Why is that special? BECAUSE YOU RARELY SEE IT!
That is the true sadness in our society. We witness feats (be it sport, job, skill) on an AWE-some level that really should be the norm. However, we have come to expect so little out of ourselves, that all of these so-called feats should not be a spectacle to us. That goes back to having 'participation' ribbons in sports of the 5-7 year old generation because it's a feel good give me a cookie because I showed up event. WRONG! Last time I checked life didn't hand out high school diplomas or college degrees just because you lived on campus? How about just because I show up for a job interview, I just get the job? What are we teaching our youth? What are we 'allowing' to happen in our society as a whole?
That got a little off topic but helping kids and the sad state of fitness in schools is one of my pet peeves and my goal is to change they way my local and state community views physical fitness. It boils down to this: OWN responsibility for yourself and no one else. Most people don't have to persist over anything because they don't hold themself to standard to go after anything bigger than themselves. Stand up for what you believe in. Dare something worthy! A great motto to start with heading into 2007. Go after a specific target that you want and PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
Principle #7
I PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
I must find a way where there is no way. This might be the most lacking topic in American culture today. I hear excuses all the time why someone can't do something. I 'cannot' do that really means I 'will not' do that. And I will do or not do whatever I tell myself. Amazing how we get in situations that we don't necessarily like...WE manifested them into place!!
An example that is on my mind...
We have become very lazy due to technology...so much to the point that I see 10 and 12 year-olds who are 20lbs overweight riding motorized scooters to the store 3 blocks from his/her house!! What happened to bikes? What happened to running/jumping/playing? Or how about this? Go to any ball field...football, baseball, soccer, whatever and tell me if you see any kids 'playing' and creating their own rules and games without the structure of organized team sports. My college strength coach called me the other day to tell me that he was sitting on the side of the road by a park where kids were playing pick-up football. Why is that special? BECAUSE YOU RARELY SEE IT!
That is the true sadness in our society. We witness feats (be it sport, job, skill) on an AWE-some level that really should be the norm. However, we have come to expect so little out of ourselves, that all of these so-called feats should not be a spectacle to us. That goes back to having 'participation' ribbons in sports of the 5-7 year old generation because it's a feel good give me a cookie because I showed up event. WRONG! Last time I checked life didn't hand out high school diplomas or college degrees just because you lived on campus? How about just because I show up for a job interview, I just get the job? What are we teaching our youth? What are we 'allowing' to happen in our society as a whole?
That got a little off topic but helping kids and the sad state of fitness in schools is one of my pet peeves and my goal is to change they way my local and state community views physical fitness. It boils down to this: OWN responsibility for yourself and no one else. Most people don't have to persist over anything because they don't hold themself to standard to go after anything bigger than themselves. Stand up for what you believe in. Dare something worthy! A great motto to start with heading into 2007. Go after a specific target that you want and PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
I Greet Each Day With a Forgiving Spirit
Continuing the Andy Andrews series...
Principle #6
I greet each day with a forgiving spirit.
There has been a lot of research done on what causes disease. Holding bitterness, grudges, resentment, jealousy and all kinds of other emotions towards others or yourself causes an astounding phenomenon in one's body. The effect all of these emotions have on the body...dis-ease. The absence of ease. Forgive those feelings, let go of past experiences that have cause strife and you will re-discover a freedom of life that is available to us all.
Take a look at kids specifically under the age of 5...they judge no one...they are completely free to experience what life has to share. We can learn a lot from the younger generations when it comes to living in freedom. It's only when they get older and circumstances of life create emotional turmoil that they begin to harbor ill feelings toward a person or group of people. The great thing about this is that YOU are in control of all of your emotions. YOU have the power to change them. YOU have the power to let go. The truth is the only person your emotions are truly affecting is YOU. Experience the power of forgiveness.
Principle #6
I greet each day with a forgiving spirit.
There has been a lot of research done on what causes disease. Holding bitterness, grudges, resentment, jealousy and all kinds of other emotions towards others or yourself causes an astounding phenomenon in one's body. The effect all of these emotions have on the body...dis-ease. The absence of ease. Forgive those feelings, let go of past experiences that have cause strife and you will re-discover a freedom of life that is available to us all.
Take a look at kids specifically under the age of 5...they judge no one...they are completely free to experience what life has to share. We can learn a lot from the younger generations when it comes to living in freedom. It's only when they get older and circumstances of life create emotional turmoil that they begin to harbor ill feelings toward a person or group of people. The great thing about this is that YOU are in control of all of your emotions. YOU have the power to change them. YOU have the power to let go. The truth is the only person your emotions are truly affecting is YOU. Experience the power of forgiveness.
20061205
I Choose To Be Grateful
Continuing the Andy Andrews series...
Principle #5
I choose to be grateful.
Grateful for what? Grateful for anything that have in your life! Significant other, friends, family, pets, health, opportunity, and on and on. Set the tone of your day immediately in the morning by writing down 10 things you are grateful for and reading it out loud at least 3x throughout the day. This habit alone will change your attitude to one of gratitude. Grateful people are presented with more opportunities because they are more pleasant to associate with.
I encourage you to purchase the movie creating a movement across this country...it's called 'The Secret.' I have watched parts of this movie over 30 times. It is one that you will want to study intensively as it applies to EVERYTHING you do in life. The people interviewed in the movie talk extensively about gratitude. Get your copy!
How does gratitude apply to training? First be grateful that you are able to train. The days you don't feel like training, think about the people who can't train physically. Do something. You will feel better even if you only move for a few minutes. Be grateful even during the times you aren't seeing major progress...this is difficult but necessary. Life in and of itself is self correcting. You will ebb and flow but most important it is controlled in the mind and usually starts with gratitude.
What are you grateful for?
Principle #5
I choose to be grateful.
Grateful for what? Grateful for anything that have in your life! Significant other, friends, family, pets, health, opportunity, and on and on. Set the tone of your day immediately in the morning by writing down 10 things you are grateful for and reading it out loud at least 3x throughout the day. This habit alone will change your attitude to one of gratitude. Grateful people are presented with more opportunities because they are more pleasant to associate with.
I encourage you to purchase the movie creating a movement across this country...it's called 'The Secret.' I have watched parts of this movie over 30 times. It is one that you will want to study intensively as it applies to EVERYTHING you do in life. The people interviewed in the movie talk extensively about gratitude. Get your copy!
How does gratitude apply to training? First be grateful that you are able to train. The days you don't feel like training, think about the people who can't train physically. Do something. You will feel better even if you only move for a few minutes. Be grateful even during the times you aren't seeing major progress...this is difficult but necessary. Life in and of itself is self correcting. You will ebb and flow but most important it is controlled in the mind and usually starts with gratitude.
What are you grateful for?
20061204
I Have A Decided Heart
Continuing the Andy Andrews series...
Principle #4
I have a decided heart.
From my observation of many people and a lot of 'wants' this is THE biggest obstacle to achieving what you want. Most people never decide. One decision can change yourself, your family, your community, your state, your country, etc.... All nations were and are created with a decision. All athletic accomplishments were and are created beginning with a decision. Have the courage to make a decision and then stick to it.
You don't have to know everything about 'how' when you start. All you have to have is a big enough 'why.'
How big is your WANT TO??
Principle #4
I have a decided heart.
From my observation of many people and a lot of 'wants' this is THE biggest obstacle to achieving what you want. Most people never decide. One decision can change yourself, your family, your community, your state, your country, etc.... All nations were and are created with a decision. All athletic accomplishments were and are created beginning with a decision. Have the courage to make a decision and then stick to it.
You don't have to know everything about 'how' when you start. All you have to have is a big enough 'why.'
How big is your WANT TO??
20061130
I Am A Person Of Action
Continuing the Andy Andrews series...
Principle #3
I am a person of action.
I see the opposite of this every day. You have to be a self-starter. Go back to my first blog and read about commitment. I hear people give me 1000s of excuses why they can't when all they have to find is ONE great reason why they will. Can't really means won't...and they're right--they won't. Take action NOW regardless of the area of life it is in. For an interesting example I am going to use the exercise/fitness/training phenomenon.
I was discussing this with a chiropractor friend of mine a couple of days ago. He was saying that he has people come into his practice all the time and proceed to give him the laundry list of things that are wrong with them. His response to them is "workout." That simple. One word. Here's why...training and exercise increase a person's vibration bottom line. When you have a higher vibration you are less likely to 'attract' all of those nagging aches and pains because your mind is focused on much higher goals and achievements. Last thing...who you ARE is who you attract. Notice I didn't say who you WOULD LIKE to be is who you attract. Improve yourself...improve your life.
Principle #3
I am a person of action.
I see the opposite of this every day. You have to be a self-starter. Go back to my first blog and read about commitment. I hear people give me 1000s of excuses why they can't when all they have to find is ONE great reason why they will. Can't really means won't...and they're right--they won't. Take action NOW regardless of the area of life it is in. For an interesting example I am going to use the exercise/fitness/training phenomenon.
I was discussing this with a chiropractor friend of mine a couple of days ago. He was saying that he has people come into his practice all the time and proceed to give him the laundry list of things that are wrong with them. His response to them is "workout." That simple. One word. Here's why...training and exercise increase a person's vibration bottom line. When you have a higher vibration you are less likely to 'attract' all of those nagging aches and pains because your mind is focused on much higher goals and achievements. Last thing...who you ARE is who you attract. Notice I didn't say who you WOULD LIKE to be is who you attract. Improve yourself...improve your life.
20061129
I Seek Wisdom
Continuing the Andy Andrews series...
Principle #2
I seek wisdom.
I am in constant refinement of what I have learned from numerous mentors in the strength and conditioning field. Major influences of been Pavel of the kettlebell world and Dragon Door, Dr. Eric Cobb of Z Health and my college strength coach Joe Hadachek.
These 3 and numerous others laid the foundation for my learning at a young age. However, I have learned that too much information is not good without applying it to training situations. So make sure that you gain insight and then put it into practice. Try something new in this next 4 weeks of training...you might like it!
Principle #2
I seek wisdom.
I am in constant refinement of what I have learned from numerous mentors in the strength and conditioning field. Major influences of been Pavel of the kettlebell world and Dragon Door, Dr. Eric Cobb of Z Health and my college strength coach Joe Hadachek.
These 3 and numerous others laid the foundation for my learning at a young age. However, I have learned that too much information is not good without applying it to training situations. So make sure that you gain insight and then put it into practice. Try something new in this next 4 weeks of training...you might like it!
20061127
The Buck Stops Here
Over the next few days I am going to revisit 7 Principles of Success by Andy Andrews. For those of you not familiar with Andrews, he is very accomplished in writing and speaking with his most notable work "The Traveler's Gift" which is where the 7 principles are taken from.
Principle #1
The buck stops here.
Take responsibility for ALL of your actions, not just a few of them. It is easy to make excuses and blame someone else. Blame is the absence of responsibility and responsibility is the absence of blame. Take control of your life. You determine your future regardless of your current life circumstances. Because of the field I am in, I have seen amazing physical transformations. What most don't see along with the physical comes the mental and spiritual transformations as well. When someone DECIDES to achieve something their entire being changes and is forced to transform. What in your life have you been making excuses for? Only YOU know and only YOU have the power to change.
Principle #1
The buck stops here.
Take responsibility for ALL of your actions, not just a few of them. It is easy to make excuses and blame someone else. Blame is the absence of responsibility and responsibility is the absence of blame. Take control of your life. You determine your future regardless of your current life circumstances. Because of the field I am in, I have seen amazing physical transformations. What most don't see along with the physical comes the mental and spiritual transformations as well. When someone DECIDES to achieve something their entire being changes and is forced to transform. What in your life have you been making excuses for? Only YOU know and only YOU have the power to change.
20061120
Lessons from the Deads...
Today marks the beginning of Week 6 into a new deadlift (DL) program that I am following. Prior to 5 weeks ago I hadn't DLed in 4 1/2 years. I was quite surprised that I was able to do 405 for two sets of doubles at the end of my 3rd week (only 9 DL training sessions).
The fourth week was a back-off week and will continue that way every fourth week. My focus will be to do singles, doubles, and triples with linear progressions. I am pleasantly surprised with my sustained numbers, which I attribute to both heavy kettlebell training and gaining movement proficiency in the Z Health specific joint mobility.
The purpose of this entry is for the first time in 5 weeks did the DL feel 'right' this morning. It took me 5 weeks to get back to a proper groove where I felt the way I knew I could. This is intuition from the 2 1/2 years I spent DLing sometime back. This is directed at the many trainees that think we should have the entire training program and protocol packaged in a 'to go' box and opened like take out when you get home and/or go train after being inspired by someone you admire or just read about.
The DL bug has bit me once again and I look forward to my goal of pulling 500lbs raw by March 1, 2007 (current PR is 440) and then progressing from there. There are many cues to think about throughout the form and currently I am minimizing tension while focusing on lengthening through the tailbone and crown of the head simultaneously. I also focus on re-stacking the joints. Tension will have it's time and place...when it gets heavy, and that's when it gets 'fun.'
The fourth week was a back-off week and will continue that way every fourth week. My focus will be to do singles, doubles, and triples with linear progressions. I am pleasantly surprised with my sustained numbers, which I attribute to both heavy kettlebell training and gaining movement proficiency in the Z Health specific joint mobility.
The purpose of this entry is for the first time in 5 weeks did the DL feel 'right' this morning. It took me 5 weeks to get back to a proper groove where I felt the way I knew I could. This is intuition from the 2 1/2 years I spent DLing sometime back. This is directed at the many trainees that think we should have the entire training program and protocol packaged in a 'to go' box and opened like take out when you get home and/or go train after being inspired by someone you admire or just read about.
The DL bug has bit me once again and I look forward to my goal of pulling 500lbs raw by March 1, 2007 (current PR is 440) and then progressing from there. There are many cues to think about throughout the form and currently I am minimizing tension while focusing on lengthening through the tailbone and crown of the head simultaneously. I also focus on re-stacking the joints. Tension will have it's time and place...when it gets heavy, and that's when it gets 'fun.'
20061116
Hard Work Spotlights Character...
I heard this wisdom of the day this morning on my way to martial arts.
Hard work spotlights character...
when faced with work or adversity people reveal themselves in 3 levels:
1 some turn up their sleeves
2 some turn up their noses
3 some don't turn up at all
Surround yourself with high caliber people. The type of people where you say 'there's just something about them, but I don't know what it is.' Don't leech off them or drain them, but be a sponge every time you are around them. Silence is king. Whenever I am introduced to a new system or new way of doing things I just listen. Who am I to vocally judge what the person is saying...I just take what I can use to get better as an athlete, professional, and person and discard the rest.
Most of you who read this are in this type of 'fraternity' or mindset already. There is an unspoken professionalism that exudes and permeates these organizations ...may it continue on the path.
Hard work spotlights character...
when faced with work or adversity people reveal themselves in 3 levels:
1 some turn up their sleeves
2 some turn up their noses
3 some don't turn up at all
Surround yourself with high caliber people. The type of people where you say 'there's just something about them, but I don't know what it is.' Don't leech off them or drain them, but be a sponge every time you are around them. Silence is king. Whenever I am introduced to a new system or new way of doing things I just listen. Who am I to vocally judge what the person is saying...I just take what I can use to get better as an athlete, professional, and person and discard the rest.
Most of you who read this are in this type of 'fraternity' or mindset already. There is an unspoken professionalism that exudes and permeates these organizations ...may it continue on the path.
20061115
The QUEST seeking TRUTH...
This is my first post on my blog. Here's to many more!
I wanted to expand on a recent post I wrote over on the Dragon Door forum. The topic is about programming and starting...this could relate to anything in life worth doing.
Here was the post from over at DD with some additions...
I see this question asked a lot by comrades on the forum. If you are new to kettlebell or PTP style training you are in the right place. If you are new to training altogether you are in the right place.
There are hundreds if not thousands of programs in the archives of the articles on this site, the books sold here (Power to the People, Enter the Kettlebell, Beyond Bodybuilding) and in the training logs of the dedicated few 'doing it.'
My encouragement to ANYONE who asks the question 'has anyone done xxx program' is do it yourself...commit to 6, 8, 12 week cycles or whatever the program calls for and DO it. What works for some on here will not work for others. You may expect similar results but they will not be EXACTLY the same.
You must...
1) DEFINE your training goals
2) COMMIT to a specific program (if not sure, a few on here offer online training)
3) have the DISCIPLINE to see the program through NO EXCUSES
4) apply appropriate INTENSITY
5) report RESULTS (make sure you keep a training log!!)
Do these 5 simple (but not easy) steps and you will be on your way to a better YOU.
Last but not least...look at your goals over the course of the next 1 year, 2 years, 3 years...when you look at them in this manner you will see massive gains and improvements regardless of your goals. (this I finally "got" last year at age 29 after 15 years of dedicated training ;)
Another way to sum this up is in "Unleashing the Warrior Within" by Richard J. Machowicz which I HIGHLY recommend. He sums it up this way:
I wanted to expand on a recent post I wrote over on the Dragon Door forum. The topic is about programming and starting...this could relate to anything in life worth doing.
Here was the post from over at DD with some additions...
I see this question asked a lot by comrades on the forum. If you are new to kettlebell or PTP style training you are in the right place. If you are new to training altogether you are in the right place.
There are hundreds if not thousands of programs in the archives of the articles on this site, the books sold here (Power to the People, Enter the Kettlebell, Beyond Bodybuilding) and in the training logs of the dedicated few 'doing it.'
My encouragement to ANYONE who asks the question 'has anyone done xxx program' is do it yourself...commit to 6, 8, 12 week cycles or whatever the program calls for and DO it. What works for some on here will not work for others. You may expect similar results but they will not be EXACTLY the same.
You must...
1) DEFINE your training goals
2) COMMIT to a specific program (if not sure, a few on here offer online training)
3) have the DISCIPLINE to see the program through NO EXCUSES
4) apply appropriate INTENSITY
5) report RESULTS (make sure you keep a training log!!)
Do these 5 simple (but not easy) steps and you will be on your way to a better YOU.
Last but not least...look at your goals over the course of the next 1 year, 2 years, 3 years...when you look at them in this manner you will see massive gains and improvements regardless of your goals. (this I finally "got" last year at age 29 after 15 years of dedicated training ;)
Another way to sum this up is in "Unleashing the Warrior Within" by Richard J. Machowicz which I HIGHLY recommend. He sums it up this way:
Gut Check
Are you willing to make a choice?
Do you have the courage to start?
Will you make the commitment to finish?
"A lot of people make a choice. Few people have the courage to start. Rarely do people have the commitment to finish. The people who do are those who have the guts to get through the losses along the way in order to reach the victory at the end." "...It's not until you make a target a matter of life and death that you end up living."
My challenge to you today is to commit to the finished product. It won't be easy, but then again EASY doesn't pay!.
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