16 Aug Stop trying
Today I’m going to be the anti-personal trainer.
I’m going to yell at the guy yelling at you to do 10 more push ups.
Why?
Because the problem is trying.
I’ll explain.
When we try to do something — especially something we really care about — we tend to take ownership of it.
That’s a good thing.
Jocko would approve.
But what happens when our goal is to change ourselves?
Well, if you’re a human, you tend to take too much ownership.
You want it too bad, so you try too hard.
You try so hard. Because you want it so badly.
So goddamn badly.
You’re willing to do anything.
And that’s the problem.
Trying literally becomes the problem.
You jump on any fad the world conjures.
You starve yourself.
You punish yourself.
You switch diets every day.
You get mad at yourself for doing all that.
You get mad at me for knowing it.
You’re trying too hard, and you’re doing too much.
This isn’t theory. This is practice.
Look, sometimes the best thing for fat loss is nothing.
Sometimes you have to do a 10 minute workout, drink a smoothie, and go focus on stuff you care about. Like your friends, your family, your career. I don’t know… you?
I’ll close with this final thought.
Picture the person you want to be. The identity you’re chasing. The reason you’re trying so hard in the first place.
What does that guy/gal’s relationship with fitness look like?
Is s/he perpetually stressed about doing it right?
Or is fitness just a habit?
Are the rockin’ bod and healthy glow just a natural way of life?
I’ve met that guy. His name is Paul.
And let me tell you — he’s all naturale.
