Success Doesn't Take A Day Off

Every so often I get a night that has a low class turnout due to what we'll call life circumstances. Sometimes these circumstances are legit - stuck at work, family or work emergency, sick, etc.

Other times, the reasons are, we'll say, less than legit.

Last night was one of those weird nights. Three people in each class. A few who missed were legit - they let me know ahead of time. I'm not sure about the rest, and it's not my place to make a judgement.

Here's what I do know. One woman who made it to the 6:30pm is an accountant in the middle of tax season. Some days she literally works with no sleep. In the past, I've not seen her for at least a month during tax time.

This year she's made it a point to get in twice per week.

Tired, dragging herself along, she came to class and did well - even dialing in technique on a few lifts. That's called progress, folks - in spite of her schedule and how she was feeling.

One of the guys in the 7:30pm came to train instead of hanging with his girl on Valentine's Day. He's making it up to her on Thursday - it's the only available day because he plans to train on Friday. Oh, yeah - he drives 45 minutes to get to the gym.

He loves the training, and knows he's making progress. He gets mad when life keeps him from it.

Here's the point I'm making - Success doesn't take a day off. You're either moving toward getting better, or sliding back - getting worse. There is no maintenance, no in between.

Sure, not every day can or should be a training day, but you have to keep your focus on where you want to be, and your actions should keep you moving in that direction.

Commitment and Consistency are key action words here. They need to be applied regularly.

My hope is that when people miss training with me, they're making it up somewhere else.

There's one woman I train who has some pretty big responsibilities both at home and at work. When she misses class, she trains on her own using a program I gave her.

It's nothing intricate, just some basics that will keep her moving forward - and she makes progress.

You've got to find a way - no matter what. It's the only way you'll get where you want.

Do not miss a training session. Make it up, switch the day or time around, do the bare minimum to keep moving forward, if need be, but don't miss it.

Partial effort gives partial result. That's why so many people have marginal success. They put in marginal effort.

No one has ever dreamed of being mediocre, and yet, so many people would rather  be entertained than spend a small portion of their day making themselves into something inspirational.

The choice is yours - take control of your outcome, develop the work ethic, and commit to self improvement.

I'm pulling for you.

- Eric

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