Working out has the obvious benefits of looking better and feeling better. Not so obvious are the lessons we can learn from working out that carry over to other aspects of our lives. To improve physically you have to set goals, come up with a plan, follow the plan consistently, and constantly evaluate your success. Physical fitness is a lifestyle that teaches us much more than how to get in shape; it teaches us how to become successful.
Losing weight, increasing your bench press, running three miles under eighteen minutes - these are all goals that are typcially set when one engages in a workout plan. No one begins a workout plan without a desired end result in mind. Now think for a second about what your desires in life are. Do you want to go to college? Become a musician? Improve your golf swing? Wanting to do them makes them desires; deciding to do them makes them goals.
Once a goal is set you need a plan. When working out you gear your workout to your goals. You lift weights to become stronger or run to become faster. Having a set plan of action takes the guesswork out of how you are going to reach your goals. If you're a novice, you probably had to do some research on how other people have achieved similar goals. Without a plan you're just flying blind.
Let's say your goal is to start a business; A lack of a plan could be catastrophic. Now you have to follow your plan consistently. You can't complete a marathon if you run only once every six months. Following a plan means you have to make whatever is you are trying to do a habit. It must become your very lifestyle. By taking daily action to follow your plan, you will be taking small incremental steps torward achieving of your goals. If the plan you've been following to improve your pull-ups doesn't work, what do you do? If you're smart, you reevaluate the plan, make adjustments then try again. It should be second nature in the gym. It's key to make it second nature in other aspects of your life. If your plan isn't working, don't quit, just change the plan.
My advice to anyone who wants to achieve great things in life is to commit to a physical fitness program. Not only will you have increased energy, and reduced stress, but you'll inadvertently learn the blueprint to the success you desire. See you in the gym.
Semper Fidelis!
