“What a pity that so many people would rather believe their doubts and doubt their beliefts. Why don’t we just decide to have no doubts, and believe our beliefs! Fear and worry are just the misuse of the creative powers we originally got to dream.“ – Jannie Putter
“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less.“ — Kurt Hahn
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Coach Al speaking with ultra-runner Debbie Livingston as she runs on the TrueForm Runner inside the Pursuit Training Center.
Every day I speak with athletes who are hoping to up their game to a new higher level. They want more speed, more strength, less injury, and faster finish times. Every so often an athlete will walk into our Pursuit Training Center looking for a quick fix for a chronic injury, or the secrets to getting faster. For those who are willing to learn and work hard, they have found a home to build their “best” possible self. For others who don’t find the quick fix, we often never see them again. At least for the moment, they lack what it takes to truly reach their potential.
In this society in which we now live, it seems that everywhere we look around us, we are encouraged to look for that quick fix, “instant” cure, or some kind of special secret to success. Take a pill, walk into the right gym, or meet the right person, and all of a sudden your life is better and you’re faster and stronger, right?
Wrong. It doesn’t work that way, not now and not ever, despite what you read or who you believe.
The great Jim Rohn once said: “Success is the predictable result of doing the right things, in the right way, at the right time.”
John Gardner once said: “Excellence is doing ordinary things, extraordinarily well.”
Athletes who are able to achieve long-term success and who reach their ultimate potential aren’t born that way, in the same way that most people who are rich didn’t just stumble upon a large plastic bag filled with hundred dollar bills.
Long term success happens to those who embrace the idea that it is a growth process that requires focus, determination, hard work, a little humility, and perhaps most of all, a willingness to do the things you often least want to do.
Emphasis ought to be placed on the humility and willingness to do the things you don’t want to, as in my experience, they very often have a greater impact on long term success than many other factors. Humility means accepting you don’t know-it-all and are willing to listen, hear the truth, and commit to life-long learning. It also means seeing supposed “failures” as not failures at all, but rather, as one more stepping stone that moves you closer to success – and to your ultimate potential.
Here at Pursuit Athletic Performance, we preach fanatically about the importance of doing things in the right way, as Jim Rohn said. My partner Doc Strecker is often heard saying that you can do virtually any exercise 95% correctly and get very little benefit from it. To get the full benefit of any endeavor, exercise, or training progression, there’s one best way – the right way.
Are you doing the right things, in the right way, at the right time, in your own training?
Are you doing the ordinary things, extraordinarily well?
There’s no substitute for hard work and determination, that is true. It is equally true that there’s is also no substitute for doing the right things, in the right way, at the right time.
- Skill building: start immediately learning and building proper skills and mechanics, all of which will ultimately set the limit for how far you can raise your fitness level.
- Fundamentals first: address foundational and fundamental movement quality elements first, before moving on to more advanced fitness oriented exercises and activities.
- Get out of that injury cycle: fix that chronic injury once and for all so you can get out of constant pain and into a state of growth. (If you’re frustrated and not sure WHAT to do, then contact me and I’ll help you get the results you desire!)
- Team building: who will help you achieve your ultimate potential? No one does it alone. Build a support team of family, friends, coaches, and training partners, who are healthy, like-minded, patient, life-long learners.
- As hard as it is sometimes, be willing to take a good look in the mirror: Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? YES. The truth WILL set you free. It is only with honest and objective feedback of where you are, right now, can you truly move forward in a positive way toward meaningful lasting success and happiness.
Our future success and happiness isn’t dictated or limited by our DNA, our parents, where we grew up, or who we know.
Far greater achievement, statisfaction, and fullfillment are available to each and every one of us, regardless of our background, talent level, or gender.
Start with the above quotes and live by them on a daily basis, and you’ll be well on your way to making 2015 your best year ever!
~Coach Al