There is an interesting thing that happens at gyms. While in a gym you will invariably encounter 2 types of people; beginner and expert weightlifters. There are intermediate weight lifters, but the interesting part is in the difference between the aforementioned two. When you see an beginner try to bench press you will notice that their bar may be comparatively light (less than 135 lbs.), but not only are they struggling, the bar is wobbling like in an earthquake. Conversely, when you see more advance weight lifters, not only are they lifting a heavier load (200 lbs. or more), but as they raise the bar, it’s as level as the bar is straight. There is a lot of physiology behind this phenomenon, it has to do with fast twitch muscles groups, or smaller/stabilizing muscles. when those muscles are developed, not only can they lift heavier weight, and the lighter weight is easier, but their bodies are more adapted to lifting weights.
What implications does this have for us in our everyday life? Well first of all, everything starts off hard. Every new job, workout, sport, hobby starts with you having no idea what to do. It actually feels overwhelming because you don’t even know what you have to learn first. That’s why the bar shakes when newbie weight lifters first start, their body is literally overwhelmed.
What does it take to get better? Well, ask any weight lifter and they will tell you “reps”, or repetitions. You have to do the movement over and over again; such is life. No one gets better without pushing themselves. But pushing yourself can be hard, and it’s uncomfortable, especially when you feel you are being judged by others. It’s natural for humans to want to protect ourselves, that is how are species survived. Our cave dwelling ancestors passed that tendency on to us. In prehistoric times if you were uncomfortable, you were in trouble; for example if you were hungry, food was short. If you felt you were being judged/ostracized that meant your tribe may kick you out, and leave you to fend for yourself. But humans were never meant to “survive”, we were meant to Thrive.
Thriving means overcoming your programming and to find something to strive towards. These are vague terms, but this post is about doing hard work, not finding your passion. Push your limits, or your limits will push you. When you get comfortable in your routine and you stop pushing yourself, your mental and physical muscles atrophy and what was once routine, now becomes work. The walk to the car seems like a workout. Then you will no longer have time or energy for the things you want to do. This how people get into what they describe as being in a “rut”.
Get out, and do that thing that scares you. Get your reps in, and do the 10,000 hours it takes to master something. For me, this is that thing. I am terrified of my work being judged, but I’m choosing to push past that feeling.
Insights That Ignite 