Posts tagged life

1. Compete in at least one mud run/adventure race/warrior dash type event
2. Compete in an Olympic lifting competition
3. Get my Personal Training Certification
4. Get paid to train people
5. Increase my vertical jump by several inches
6. Look into and visit Graduate schools
7. Be able to complete 5 body weight pullups (4 rep increase)
8. Be able to deadlift 300lbs (75lb increase)
9. Be able to back squat 270lbs (80lb increase)
10. Be able to Front squat 190lbs (55lb increase)
11. Travel out of the country this summer
12. Get belay certified and use my school’s rock climbing wall

As it’s back-to-school time again, I thought this post by Alan Aragon would be appropriate:

• “Come to grips with what it is you’re absolutely nuts about (not just vaguely interested in). This is what you should be doing as a career.  Try to recall the last time you did an exceptional job at something you couldn’t give half a crap about, and my point becomes clear.
• It’s ideal to match your interests with your talents, but skill can always be developed; whereas the desire for a particular job cannot always be developed. Do not pursue a career merely because you think it’s a prudent or safe choice. This naive capitulation has been the kiss of death for many.
• There’s a market for EVERYTHING, but just be aware of how large or small that market is, in order to estimate your earning potential.
• Experience builds confidence. Don’t expect to be polished right off the bat. Get in the trenches, get dirty, but try to learn as much as you can from the mistakes of your predecessors. The career series I wrote to kick off this blog should give anyone contemplating a fitness career ample food for thought.
• Your perception of success will change over time.  Your interests & goals will evolve over time. It’s crucially important to be aware of this metamorphosis and act upon it regularly. We get so caught up in the mind-numbing routine of our work week, that it’s easy to lose touch with where we are, versus the direction we need to be moving. The solution? Do a “blank sheet day” at least once a year. This is an idea I got from a highly successful friend of mine, Daryl Wizelman. What you do is block out an entire day once a year to be by yourself. The whole day – with no one around you. I know that this is a horrifying concept, but bear with me.  Get a paper notebook (not something with internet access), and get yourself out into a secluded area  (a park, abandoned wherehouse, etc – whatever it takes to be alone), and VERY SPECIFICALLY write out your dream lifestyle. I’m not talking about compromising here, I’m talking about having the balls to actually fantasize for a moment about what type of life would make you truly happy. This obviously is gonna vary, but in all cases, be honest with yourself about what it is. Answer questions like: Where do you want to live? What do you want to spend your day doing? How many days a week do you want to work? What kind of life & career have you always dreamed about having, and what SPECIFIC steps can you take to get there if you’re not there yet? What sacrifices do you need to make? How do you want to give back charitably once you get the means to do so? How do you want to be remembered? Then, review your plan regularly through the year. I’ve been doing this “blank sheet day” exercise annually for the last 3 years now, and suffice it to say that I can’t even begin to tell you how much it has helped me personally.
• If you are enjoying the process of pursuing your goals and crafting your career, you can consider yourself successful. This principle is hammered so very eloquently by Robert Hastings in his essay called The Station. As cliche as it sounds, the destination is far less important – and certainly far less real - than the journey. Life is merely a succession of days. What you do with each day determines the kind of life you’ll create, and ultimately the kind of life you’ll look back on.”

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/03/22/starting-to-look-back-a-lot-more/

Students take note. This is great advice. I love the “blank sheet day” idea.

bestshapeever:

I love working out right before work.
As I’m walking out of the gym I feel like Clark Kent buttoning up his shirt and putting on his glasses as he walks back to the Daily Planet.

haha that’s a great way to put it! I feel like that too sometimes

(Source: squatsinthecurlrack)

rippedfuel:

“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do”

— Henry Ford

Anyone can talk a good game, but it takes heart, courage, passion, determination, willingness, faith and vision to actually follow through and DO something.  Quit telling people what you’re going to do.  Take some action and show them HOW you’re going to do it!