Studies at the University of Chicago by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi,
author of "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience"
concluded that the highest achievers are those who consistently
push themselves out of their comfort zones. Instead of withdrawing
to their comfort zones when they don't get immediate results,
they force themselves to stay at this awkward, uncomfortable
and painful (but higher and better) level of performance
until the pain finally subsides and they become comfortable
at the new higher level. Or, as motivational speaker Tom
Hopkins puts it, "pain of every change is forgotten
when the benefits of that change are realized."
If you ask a champion in any field of endeavor, you will
find that rather than avoid pain, they embrace it and accept
it as part of the game they must play to win. Champions
realize that pain equals growth and the benefits far outweigh
the discomfort.
Seven-Time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenneger said, "I
realized that pain could become pleasure. We were benefiting
from pain. We were breaking through the pain barrier and
shocking the muscles. I looked at this pain as a positive
thing, because I grew."
Cyclist Lance Armstrong put it this way: "Pain is
temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or
a year, but eventually it will subside and something else
will take its place. If I quit however, it lasts forever."
Muhammad Ali said it like this: "I hated every minute
of the training. But I said to myself, bear the pain N O
W and live the rest of your life as a champion."
Go back and look at your circles again. Do you realize
that it may be entirely possible to continue expanding your
circles to infinity? Draw a third one. And a fourth. Imagine
yourself climbing up out of your comfort zone to these higher
levels and look back at how small the space is that you
used to occupy. You have far greater potential than you’ve
ever imagined.
In William James’ essay, On Vital Reserves: Energies
of Men, he wrote,
"Compared to what we ought to be, we are only half
awake. Our fires are dampened, our drafts are checked. We
are making use of only a small part of our possible mental
and physical resources. The human individual thus lives
usually far within his limits; he possesses powers of various
sorts which he habitually fails to use. He energizes below
his maximum, and he behaves below his optimum."
It’s a widely accepted fact that we only use a tiny
fraction of our physical potential and even less of our
minds. However, no true expert in human potential today
would ever dare set a definite limit on what we are ultimately
capable of achieving because for all practical purposes,
our potential is literally infinite.
Have we seen any slowdown in athletic, intellectual, spiritual
and scientific advancement during our lifetimes? Quite the
opposite; the curve of progress is accelerating thanks to
the brave souls who had the courage to step out their comfort
zones. Meanwhile, the mediocre masses are left further and
further behind because they would rather pull back into
the apparent comfort and stability of their small "circles"
rather than step forward through pain and into growth.
Ironically, when someone says, "I’m happy just
staying right where I am," he or she is demonstrating
their ignorance of a basic law of nature. It’s the
natural law that all things in the universe are either growing
or decaying. There is no standing still. "Comfortably
maintaining" is an illusion. Truth is, you must grow.
You must push yourself beyond what you’ve done in
the past if you want to avoid falling behind.
You don’t have to aspire to become Mr. Olympia, Tour
De France winner, or heavyweight champion of the world,
but you must continue to grow, whatever that means to you.
All you have to do is step outside your comfort zone and
endure the "pain" of effort, discipline, sacrifice,
frustration and hard work, and your reward of growth is
as certain as the sun rising in the East tomorrow.
Soon the pain subsides, you enjoy the benefits of the change,
and the pain is forgotten. You’ve reached a new, and
higher plateau of achievement. Be on guard, though, for
it’s not long before that higher level becomes your
new comfort zone, and then it’s time to press on again.
Ultimately, you can’t avoid experiencing pain of
one kind or another. Project yourself into the future for
a moment; see yourself in your final days, reflecting on
what you’ve achieved in your life time - and reflecting
on what you wanted to achieve, but didn't even attempt.
As you visualize this scene, remember the words of Jim Rohn:
"We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain
of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline
weighs ounces while regret weighs tons."
Your friend and coach,
Tom Venuto, NSCA-CPT, CSCS
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Fat Loss Coach
PS. You have more potential than you've ever imagined.
The only reason you're not living up to your full potential
is because you are withdrawing... back inside zone of comfort...every
time the going gets tough and the work gets hard. Well,
here's the truth that no one else in the health and fitness
business wants to tell you:
Change is tough and getting fit takes hard work.
If you're looking for fitness in a pill, weight loss from
an infomercial gadget or any other "easy, overnight
quick fix," then what I have to teach is not for you.
On the other hand, if you want the truth about health and
fitness, and if you have the courage to leave your old comfort
zone, and step out into the discomfort of new territory,
then I can show you the way to achieve the body you've always
dreamed of...
How? If you're not on the Burn
The Fat, Feed The Muscle program yet, then visit it
right now, and let me help you take your health, your body
and your life to the next level!
>>
Click here for Tom's Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle program
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