Monday, September 19, 2016

Give Me The Ball

Yesterday was deadlift day.  We were to perform a 5x5 @ 70%.  Typically, 70% isn’t all that heavy.  I mean, it’s heavy, but it isn’t HEAVY.  Usually I get super excited for deadlift day. I love deadlifts.   Not today.  When I calculated my percentage and what I was to lift, it felt daunting.  I was actually nervous that I wouldn’t be able to finish my work.  I considered dropping the weight down.  I considered asking for more rest in between sets as we (Eric and I) have recently decreased our rest/recovery between sets to improve our conditioning. 

I was getting pissed at myself.  I was freaking out about a number that I knew I could do, but felt anxious about.  Negative thoughts were rushing through my mind.  “What if I fail? What if I injure myself?  I can’t get hurt.  Do I really want to be strong?  Is it worth it?  Do I really want this?” 

WTF?

How could I be asking these questions and having this doubt?  This was not like me, at all.  I have never back down from a chance at personal growth.  I have never been afraid of a challenge.  But I was.

Before we began, I asked myself “when was a time when I felt powerful?  When was a time when I felt fearless and confident?”

My answer: Basketball.  
Me hoopin' it up in 1982.  I was 3 years old.


If you were to ask me to describe my childhood and adolescence in one word my answer would be; basketball.  Basketball was my entire identity in my youth.  Before I started making stupid teenage decisions, basketball was my world.  I ate basketball.  I breathed basketball.  I dreamt basketball.  I was head-over-heels in love with basketball.  It was my first love. 

When I played all I wanted was the ball.  I wanted to shot the ball.  I wanted to pass the ball.  I wanted to rebound the ball.  I wanted to steal the ball.  My focus was to play ball.  My focus was playing basketball relentlessly working to be my best.

I never backed down to a big moment.  In fact, I wanted the ball the most during the big moments…when everything was on the line.  I thrived off of pressure situations.  I wanted to guard the best player of the opposite team.  I loved competition.  I found joy in risk-taking.  I got lost in the rush of working to be my best in hopes of being victorious with no guarantee to victory. 

I stepped up to any challenge.  I would play anyone, no matter how big or tall.  I was a beast, and I wanted a chance to prove my ability and skill.  I believed in my ability.  I trusted the hours and hours that I spent practicing skills and visualizing details of execution.  Even if I didn’t come out the victor in each game situation, I was hungry for the next game and the next encounter I would have with an opponent to prove I was the best.  I was never scared. 

I decided to create a mantra right then and there.  “Give me the ball! I got this!” I repeated this mantra, silently in my head again and again.  “Give me the ball!  I got this!”  “Give me the ball!  I got this!”  I said this over and over until it turned into, “Give me the barbell!  I got this!”  “Give me the barbell!  I got this!”

I started to embody and embrace the feelings that I had as a basketball player, confident, strong, and competitive.  I literally got fired up thinking about lifting the heavy barbell off the ground.  I wanted that barbell in my hands!  I wanted to lift!  I actually started to grin when it was my set, because it felt like when I would step up for a free throw shot in my youth.  I was ready.  I was pumped!  There was no question in my mind.  I knew I would crush it. 

I know I’m not the only one that gets a bit anxious when attempting something difficult and challenging.  I know I’m not the only one that second guesses my ability when you are called upon to perform.  I am not alone in this battle of the mind. 

For that reason, I encourage you to create your own personal mantra that instantly transforms your mind from meager thoughts to a super-confident mindset! 

Here’s how:

Think back to a time, a situation, or competition where you were confident.  Recall an instance where you had a flawless performance.  Remember all the details and embody how you felt.  Embrace the confidence, joy, and personal power that exhilarated you.  Were you playing a sport and have a near perfect performance?  Was it a presentation that you were well prepared for?  Did you make a really good impression during a job interview that led to employment for your dream job? 

Whatever that moment was or memory was, I ask you to tell yourself NOW what you told yourself THEN to get pumped and confident for that particular situation.  Now imagine you are there.  Imagine you are about to step on the court or take the stage, how does it feel?  Feels great, doesn’t it?

Now that you have that memory fresh in your mind you can develop, create, and rehearse a mantra for yourself that you can apply to present day pressures or challenges that you face.  For example, Simply interchange words in order to give your current situation the appropriate energy and focus that is needed to supercharge you with belief in your abilities.  

I used basketball as motivation for lifting a barbell.  I changed “Give me the ball!” into “Give me the barbell!” 

If you have great memories with of a performance you had in theater, for instance, you could take “It’s show time!” and replace the word “show” with “it’s lift time!”

There are no rules when it comes to finding inner motivation and drive to take on a challenge.  Be creative.  Have fun! 



Sunday, September 11, 2016

Decide to Control




We are constantly in a state of learning how to think and remain positive in a world full of chaos and difficult challenges.  We are at war with ourselves, and many times we are unaware that a war is even taking place.  We are at war between negative influence and empowering positivity.  Due to this constant battle- we sometimes fall into a trap of believing we have no control over our outcome.  This is not true.  Do not believe the lie of others, which states you can’t or that you won’t or that something is impossible.  That is bullshit.  Don’t buy into the idea that you can’t, won’t, or shouldn’t.  You are in control of your life.  Listen to the voice inside of you communicating your truth. 

The most limiting factor to your success is the internal negative bullshit that you are thinking.  Not only do you believe this nonsense story, but you’re buying it in bulk and eating it every single day of your life.  Stop polluting your mind with this crap.  The story that you keep acknowledging is the one that will be acted out in your day to day life.  The thoughts that you create in your mind will be reflected in real life.

Who you are, what you do, and where you go, are the direct results of the thoughts that you choose.  Choose wisely.  Choose boldly.

You are in control of your thoughts.  No really, you are!  You are in the driver’s seat of your very own thinking.  You have the wheel.  You are in control of your final destination.

You can either think like a loser or think like a champion.  You can either think like a peasant or think like a queen.  The choice is very simply, yours.  You can either live free and be empowered with positivity or be a prisoner to a negative mindset.

Don’t worry.  Your thoughts don’t own you.  You own your thoughts.  You are in complete control.  You can change your stinking thinking RIGHT NOW and start RIGHT NOW down the path of positive thinking!  No Really!  You can!

How? You ask.

The answer is simple.  Decide to take control.  Decide to change the way you think.  You must make the decision that you are in control of your life and your thoughts.  Do it now.  Remember that simple does not mean easy.  Sometimes we have to rewire our thinking in order to understand that we have personal power and complete control over our lives. 


We can learn to control our thinking by rewiring and reprogramming the story that we have survived and thrived on for so long.  To do this we must first make the conscious decision that we must change our thinking.  Once the decision is made, only then can the journey begin.  The first step on this journey is to understand that you have control.  This is the most difficult of all the steps.  This can make or break many people, so buckle up…it might get bumpy.