There are
all kinds of examples of successful people in the world. We can look at people who have realized their
career goals. Look at how successful she
is….she is a partner in the law firm.
Some people have made it rich and have all of those material things that
seem to go along with that lifestyle.
Others have reached the pinnacle of their chosen sport…their success
judged on victories and accolades. On
the same scale, we can see the people who have been successful in their
workouts. Whether they be runners, gym
rats, yogis, or any other type of athlete, these people tend to be in pretty
good shape.
Yep…it’s
easy to pick out a runner in the summer with their shorts revealing well
muscled calves. It is not hard to see
who works out when they wear tight clothes that reveal their lack of body fat
and hardened muscles. Just like the
people who are successful in other aspects of their lives, the results of their
work are easily seen. What is not easily
seen is the actual work that goes into becoming successful. We seem to have this vague idea that so-and-so had to work hard to get where
they are at. This person had to hit the
gym for months to achieve that physique and that person had to go to school for
four years and climb the corporate ladder to land that position. But that really doesn’t tell the whole story.
I am
beginning to realize that there is something else behind the scenes that makes
us successful in our endeavours. It isn’t
just about doing the work or getting the training in. It isn’t about certificates, education, races
won….it is all about HABIT. When I was
in high school I can remember kids getting really good grades on tests. I would think that kid is really smart and
probably studied. It never occurred to me
that the smart kid probably did more than just study before the test. He or she probably studied several times a
week throughout the school year in order to consistently get good marks on
tests. I used to look at the track stars
and think that guy is so fast. True,
there is some innate talent when it comes to some things, but, just like
everything else, speed takes work…not just a few warm up sessions before the
big race…real work…every day work. It’s
a habit.
A habit is
a funny thing. Bad habits are tough to
kick and good habits are tough to get going.
Have you ever tried to quit smoking, drinking, or using? If so, you know how hard a road that is. Conversely, have you ever tried to get up at
445 am five or six days a week to get your run or your workout in? Or have you ever tried to only eat healthy
foods. Both of these habits are equally
hard to start as some of the others are to stop. BUT the habit is the key to success. The races aren’t won on race day…they are won
or lost long before that. You win races
in January and February when those who are not quite so committed sit on their
sofas and watch television and you are out facing the elements and getting your
runs in.
This is
what I remind myself of as I embark on my weight training. I know my weights and reps are low. I know that the things I am doing are not
impressive…even to a rookie like myself…but I know that I am building a habit
along with new muscle. Already I feel
slight increases in strength and I know it will only continue.
The HABIT
is the key. The results don’t happen in
one day. Habits are not built in one
day. Realize there will be failures and
set backs but every day is a new day and all you can do is just keep pushing
forward. Eventually the habit forms and
once it is formed you begin to crave it.
Then the work doesn’t seem so much like work anymore. It becomes a part of what you do and who you
are. Then some time down the road people
look at you and think about how you are in such good shape and they think you
are lucky. It’s true…you are lucky…lucky
that you became your habit.
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