“Get a buddy”-Do your healthy thing with a pal or partner. Camaraderie and accountability go a long way toward creating success.
REST DAY
Thanks for the support and cheering today at the NLI Competition. The WODs were tough and the weather was wet and dreary. These events are very fun, very humbling and overall, a great experience. They are great for spectating also.
For any of you who have the slightest inkling to “throw your name in the hat” and compete, DO IT. Don’t hesitate. If it makes you nervous, if your palms sweat and your pulse quickens when you think about it, then you should go for it. That’s the feeling of being alive. Seek out the situations that give you that feeling. Try the exciting things. Don’t fold to the fear. The experience will be awesome in ways you’ll only realize after you’ve done it.
Quick summary of today’s results for Alison and Shawn: Got asses kicked, had a blast, PR’d, played in the rain, hung out with good people, yummy post WOD dinner at local diner. Sound fun to you? Be sure to join us next time.
Random Thoughts from Shawn
On the drive home, Alison and I were talking about the day and our performances. I had a flash back from childhood of a similar conversation with my Dad while driving home from a motocross race. I was very confident and expected to win this particular race. I got beat and was upset.
He says, “You came up short. You gave it everything you had and you didn’t win. So what? It was your best effort. What are you going to do?”
The answer, “Find the next gear and hold it wide open.”
Dad asks simply, “Are you willing to find that gear.”
As a mature adult he knew what he was asking, as an immature child, I was naïve and boastful. It has taken years…and I’m still learning, putting pieces together, shifting, and still looking for those higher gears. I suspect, it should continue. And for the record, I’m not holding it wide open…
This is not a blurb about Alison or I as old washed up used-to-be athletes, but rather a simple observation that maybe most people don’t know how to find that next gear. Most people live lives of quiet desperation. Will you? Are you willing to find that gear? In the next WOD? In school? In your marriage? In your career? In your parenting skills? In your nutrition? In your Life?
Most people long to do more or be more but never do anything about it. That’s the corner of Easy Street and Mediocrity. You can do the same, or you could strive to find that next gear. F@*& Easy Street! I bet you want more. So be more! Figure out how to find the next gear. Upshift and hold on tight. It’ll be a hell ova ride.
