Don't Be Afraid to Climb

Rock Climber One goes climbing very frequently. He never misses a day. It is part of his daily routine to pack his climbing kit, and ascend to the same spot, 200 feet above ground level. He has never attempted to go higher.

Climber Two goes climbing every once in a while. More like once a week. Each time he climbs, he sets a goal to go 10 feet higher than he did last time. 

Who will have more success as a climber? 

Climber Two understands that he has already climbed to 100 feet. He has now moved on to hitting 110 feet. Even though he doesn't climb as frequently, his time climbing is better spent than Climber One, who is just getting good at climbing to 200 feet.

This example relates directly to training (and just about any other thing in life for that matter). If you want to get good at something, you can’t afford to be stagnant. Each attempt needs to challenge you more than your last one. 

Push further than what you are currently comfortable with every day.

Part 2: Joey and Zoey Go To Work

If you missed Part 1, catch up here:

Joey and Zoey go to School

After winter break….

Joey returned to classes and continued through college.

Zoey found work waitressing at Rod’s Bar and Grill. 

On road to graduating, Joey wrote papers that were type-able.

In order for Zoey to pay rent, she had to be like-able.

Joey sat through lectures and discussions that were debate-able.

With customers, Zoey was relatable.

Joey took tests that were pretty challenging.

Zoey was known to be very understanding. 

Joey could could speak fluent Chinese. He helped his roommate pass Calculus. He even knew how to hack into Netflix for free streaming. But he didn't know how to cook, so his Dad sent money for him to eat with. He didn’t know how to do his laundry, so every other weekend, he took it home for his Mom to do. 

The fanciest math trick Zoey knew was the Pythagorean Theorem. She could only name 4 U.S. Presidents. She didnt right good neither. After high school, her parents cut her off. With little recourses, Zoey was forced to be self-sufficient.

After graduating, Joey accepted a job with an online Search Engine service with headquarters 20 minutes from campus. 

At the same time, Zoey got her 15th tattoo.

To continue later…

Joey and Zoey Go To School

In high school, Joey got good grades.

Zoey went to raves.

Joey became class president.

Zoey was rarely present.

Joey graduated as Valedictorian.

Zoey hardly advanced on. She was overly-occupied with her boyfriend, a Singaporean.

Joey earned a scholarship to the state University. Zoey registered the day before classes began at their hometown Community College. 

Joey took detailed notes during his Computer Engineering courses. He spent hours studying and writing code most nights. Zoey only daydreamed and doodled on her notebooks during her requisite math and science classes. 

Joey thought college was fantastic.

Zoey was unenthusiastic.

After semester one, Joey prevailed, Zoey bailed.

To continue later…

Snow Day

Anticipation. Expectancy. Excitement.

Late last week, Joe Winters anticipated a snowstorm to hit us Monday night. I began expecting the Meteorologist to be accurate with his claim. His prediction excited me.

But much to my dismay, the storm only scraped us on its way North of here. The mid 30 degree temps left us stranded in nothing more than an arctic swampland of slush. 

Even though a day-long nap and a lunch visit to the Pizza Ranch Buffet was the last thing I needed, a Snow Day would have been fun today - just like they have always been…and everything about them exciting.

When you were a kid, how exhilarating was it to have school cancelled due to weather? You likely experienced the same anticipation, expectancy, and excitement as I did over the last several days. You would check the scroll at the bottom of the local news station every 15 minutes until your school appeared as CLOSED.

If working out provided the same amount of excitement as an anticipated Snow Day, the world would be much healthier and in-shapier. 

Remarkably, exercising can be as exciting. But the excitement to exercise isn’t as distinct and as easily attainable as the excitement of missing a day of work or school. You will need to create your own excitement. Finding something that excites you about working out makes going to the gym easier.

Get excited about the opportunity to hit a new PR. 

Get excited to observe the physical changes happening in your body.

Get excited to exhibit your new workout gear. 

Get excited to be able to out-lift the guy doing 40-rep knee extensions at light speed, whose hygiene has been better, and displays dust-colored wool socks sticking out of his crusty And1’s.

Hyping yourself up to workout doesn't sound as desirable as dozing in and out of Vanderpump Rules episodes all of a snowy afternoon. But a Snow Day only lasts one day. Gains can last a lifetime - if they excite you enough.