I watched this video, then sat in silence afterwards while letting the truth flood over me. In working with dozens of personal training clients on a daily basis, this sequence of fast-motion excuses sounded like a synopsis of one of my worst days, minus the counting of repetitions.
Life is a constant series of choices, from the moment of birth until the moment of death; a string of competing alternatives that cannot coexist or cohabitate, that you must choose between. In every paired sequence, one is presented with a simpler and a more difficult option. The more difficult is more difficult precisely because it requires more investment—more focus, attention, movement, thought, risk, momentary pain, temporary discomfort, blood, sweat, and tears. The easier alternative, by contrast, comes more naturally, with less investment. It pops into one’s field of vision as the preferable, as the path of least resistance; it beckons to the individual with promises of comfort, smoothness, and calm.
There is always an excuse. There is always a reason to not sweat, to not get involved or invested, to not pursue a higher goal. There is always an alternative that would be more immediately enjoyable, precisely because it would require less risk and less discomfort. Listen specifically to the sequence in the video: “I have a case of the Mondays… the Tuesdays… the Wednesdays”. EVERY DAY is a reason to not get sweaty, to not play. Yet some do. Do you?
There will always be upset stomachs, calluses, sprained ankles… children, work, family… diseases, colds, illnesses… holidays, anniversaries, birthday parties, celebrations… work events, life events… identity crises, personal issues, soul searching quests… job changes, promotions, demotions, terminations, layoffs… lateral shifts, transfers, upgrades, downgrades…
There will always be a million and one reasons to not play…
There will always be an excuse…
And some will still play. And some will not. And it’s really as simple as that.
Wanna’ play?
-David A. Johnston
DAVID JOHNSTON
David Johnston is the founder and lead trainer of TEAM Warrior Within. You can also listen to him weekely on the GEARD Up podcast. ( GEARDUp.com ) David works with clients ranging from the everyday person just trying to lose weight and get healthy, local and national bodybuilding and physique competitors, to IFBB professional athletes.
David lives and breathes all things related to physique transformation, and has devoted nearly half of his life to passionately studying and educating himself to be the absolute best at what he does. His intensity in the gym is matched only by the passion he gives to his clients.
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