So much planning, thought, time and effort go into overcoming
inertia and getting the ball rolling... and what happens?
You hit ONE rough patch (you always do), and you allow the
wedge the tiny opening it needs. You stray from your diet,
miss some workouts, sustain an injury, or more often than
any other reason; you simply don't see results fast enough.
One little setback or challenge and you let yourself become
hopelessly discouraged.
It's a pity how easily most people are discouraged, because
reaching your goals will occur with mathematical certainty
if you consistently follow proven principles and natural
laws. Too many people get discouraged or quit before they
allow the required gestation period to elapse.
If you planted a tree in your backyard, you would know
for certain it would grow, as long as you provided the necessary
conditions. If you planted it in good soil, nurtured it,
and provided it with water and sunlight, your seed would
sprout and grow towards the sky as sure as the night follows
the day.
Goals are like seeds and they require time to take root
and sprout. Getting discouraged just because you have a
setback or you don't see your body transform "overnight"
is silly. It's denying nature's immutable laws. Becoming
negative or quitting because you don't see results fast
enough is like digging up your seeds to see if they're growing
down there (killing them in the process). If you're nurturing your "goal seeds" by consistently
working out and eating properly, OF COURSE they're growing!
Have you ever watched the grass grow in your backyard? You
don't actually SEE each blade getting taller, but you KNOW
it's growing because every week you have to mow your lawn!
Sometimes getting in shape is like watching the grass grow
- it really tests your patience. Don't EVER allow that to
discourage you! Keep advancing confidently in the direction
of your goals.
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It's ok to have BIG, magnificent goals, but allow a reasonable
time frame for achieving them. Shun the quick fix and cultivate
the virtue of patience. Impatience leads to frustration.
Frustration leads to discouragement. Discouragement, allowed
to fester and grow, is the dream destroyer.
When discouragement strikes - and it will, right along
with its brethren, doubt and fear - see it as an opportunity
to get stronger. All progress and growth occur against resistance.
The lumberjack says, "The stronger the wind, the stronger
the trees, good timber does not grow with ease." Just
as muscles grow against resistance, the strength of your
will also grows when exercised against resistance. You can't
become a strong person unless you experience setbacks, challenges
and discouragement and overcome them. Life's challenges
were meant to be met head on and mastered.
It's been said that when God wants to give you a gift,
he wraps in up in a problem. Your current problem, difficulty,
or whatever is making you feel discouraged, is your great
opportunity! Each time you feel discouraged and press on
in spite of it, you get tougher. Your skin gets thicker
as if a callous were forming. Eventually, you forge an impenetrable
armor against the onslaught of discouragement's wedge and
all the other tools that destroy the dreams of weaker men
and women. You gain the faith and confidence to look in
the mirror and KNOW you'll reach your goal eventually, even
though you don't see dramatic changes on a day to day basis.
With the new year before us, I want you to make a commitment
today, right NOW: Set goals for year, but don't stop there.
Set "a goal for your goals": Decide that you will
see your goals through to completion, no matter what slings
and arrows (and wedges) come your way. Decide that you will
never give up when you feel discouraged, but instead, you
will see discouragement as your signal to dig in and work
even harder. Decide that you will conquer discouragement,
and in so doing, become more resolved, more determined,
and stronger than ever. Make the commitment today! Make
this year your best year ever!
>>
Click here for Tom's Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle program
About the Author
Tom Venuto is an NSCA-certified personal trainer, certified
strength and conditioning specialist, lifetime natural bodybuilder,
and author of the #1 best-selling e-book "Burn the
Fat, Feed The Muscle" (BFFM). Tom has written over
170 articles and has been featured in IRONMAN Magazine,
Natural Bodybuilding, Muscular Development, Muscle-Zine,
Olympian’s News (in Italian), Exercise for Men and
Men’s Exercise. For information on Tom's "Burn
The Fat" e-book, click
here
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