Maybe It’s My Fault (Commercial)
Take a look at the Nike commercial below. It is only a commercial, but the message is loud and clear.
It is always easier to make excuses, but there isn’t much reward in an excuse filled life. Stop worrying about what natural abilities you may or may not have. I personally know some average athletes (from the standpoint of natural ability) who busted ass, defied the odds, and eventually became world champions.
Stop worrying whether you are tall enough, fast enough, young enough, etc. Develop your own ability in the gym.
Just for an example, I’ve received emails from aspiring fighters asking if they were too old to start fighting. These emails often come from teenagers who are still babies to the sport. Why ask me? Why should I decide your future? Don’t let me or anyone else decide what you can do. It isn’t up to me. I won’t be there waking you up early in the morning to train. I won’t be there at night pushing you through another session. You need to write your own destiny.
And if you don’t achieve what you want, maybe it is your fault, and nothing else. Take a look in the mirror. Maybe your definition of hard work isn’t universal. Ultimately, if you want something, go get it. That’s it.
No one receives a handbook at birth that lists what we are capable of achieving. There will always be critics and naysayers who take comfort in seeing you fail. It helps them to accept their own failure (ie. at least I’m not the only one who didn’t make it). Stay away from these dream snatchers, but realize that they are in every city in this world.
Shut them up with action. It works better than any other form of communication.
Ross
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Allow me:
“Action is the most effective form of communication.” Ross Enamait
This was just what I needed. I am standing at a crossroad in my life having to choose whether I should give it my best and try to become a professional at the sport I excercise or if I should continue my life as it is now. I was considering what I might win or lose depending on what I chose to do, finding that there are a lot of reasons for me not to take the plunge. I was making excuses, it’s as simple as that. Now I know what I have to do, work, work some more and then continue working, fighting and struggling until I am either satisfied or I have succeeded.
true words my friend
Aristotle said, “Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.”
Not only moral excellence, but physical and mental prowess, are built on a strong foundation of habit. It is up to each of us to choose whether or not we take action to advance our moral, physical, and mental abilities.
Each of us can become strong and develop skills by training hard. God gives everyone different tools to work with, and we must build the best life that we can with those tools. We are all given tools; the difference is whether or not we decide to use them.
Thanks for posting the video, Ross. I always find inspiration in your words.
Motivating as always Ross. Being an amateur fighter it’s entries like this that give me that extra push to work hard. For me, it’s very satisfying to know that success comes from grit and determination, thanks.
wow…ross you really know how to get me pumped up everytime, man. Great post! I am not a fighter but definitely a believer that ANYTHING is possible but that all starts with the man in the mirror for sure.
Andy
Thanks Ross. It’s true. Who are we to decide for others? Only individuals can decide for themselves and what they truly want. This is very inspiring. Salam.