Hard Exists Now–Dig In! 5 February 2015

Hard is now!  I can see the next phase. Keeping on track is ABSOLUTELY required from this point forward and I need to dig in even more firmly.  My heart will go through many changes but despite these changes, determination and focus must be the order of the day.

Hard is subjective ranging from short bursts of self-doubt and sleeplessness to manic determination to push myself way beyond what is required in the gym.  Keeping these things under control and maintaining steadfast focus is paramount.  I am forever vigilant with self-monitoring and self-regulating activities.  The goal is to disallow feelings to rule the day!

Determination

Merriam Webster Defines Determination as: ” the firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end”—this has to be the source of all energy to accomplish my end.  Nobody can instill this in me. Nobody can lend it to me. Nobody can open up my heart and sew it into place.  I alone, am responsible for DETERMINING what I want and to go about the task of achieving it.  I have a saying that I use to motivate me, “Nobody works harder than me.”  I use this mantra like a whip while I workout.  It’s in my genes, it is my ethic to work harder than my competition.  What I lack in natural gifts I make up for by finding other natural gifts of my own, applying them, and then willingly working until they are better than the natural gifts of my foes.  My Maxim: There is no substitute for Determination and the application of serious work to win!

When the fits of self-doubt begin to emerge and it begins to effect my attitude, which in turn changes my training, I have developed another little mantra that I recite to myself.  I say to myself over and over again, “KEEP GOING!, MOVE, PUSH, DON’T STOP”—By repeating these words before and during workouts there is a change of energy from LOW to HIGH.  I very easily remember why I am doing what I’m doing and it becomes obvious that there is no retreat and there is no failure.  I control all this with the intensity of the training I am engaged in.

Sleeplessness

There isn’t a person alive that does not experience sleeplessness once in awhile. Athletes, in particular, are prone to sleepless nights as they train and prepare for competition. When I have nights of sleeplessness and my energy is directly effected physiologically I push myself to do the workout as if my energy level is high.  I train between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM 6 days per week for an hour and a half per workout.  I promise myself a nap later in the day as a sort of bribe to my body that is sleep deprived.  Sure as the sun rises in the East, I take about a 30 minute nap on those days after sleepless nights.  I am rejuvenated. A good night’s rest is ideal but when it is impossible do not slack during workouts and take time to nap.

My Eyes on the Prize

This has to be the thing that drives me forward.  I have to rivet my internal gaze on the reward for my efforts.  I’ve already decided that this prize is worth it and I am now executing the requirements to get it.  If this image in my mind begins to fade, so does my intensity and sense of purpose.  It’s NOW that I bring this image of my goal into sharp focus by meditating on it. Talking about it. Visualizing myself being handed the trophy and the handshake from the promoters that accompanies the receiving of the trophy.  This image must crowd out all other competing images.

Next month I begin my “show prep” that my coach, Justin Dees, says will last for 14 weeks. The prep will consist of training, dieting, posing, heavy sessions of aerobics and tons of assessing and correcting to win.  Justin says I will arrive on stage huge and shredded and ready to win.  Thus, my effort must be equal to the task and ultimately the goal. I dare not disappoint my maestro! 

My “Maestro” and Coach — Justin Dees!

I believe that I’ve got one of the best coaches in the sport.  He has brought me this far very fast and he will take me to the “Winner’s Circle”.  I believe that this 14 week show prep will be very hard and very instructive. Justin has entitled this effort “Operation Pro Card” which, for me is the ultimate accomplishment this year.

Hard

Hard is now due to my mental and emotional state.  This is no time to be absent from the body.  As in so many other challenges in my life, toughness and determination have to take over. There are no short cuts and the effort and winning belongs only to you.  It is lonely at times and it is obviously painful, so you have to learn to love the journey as well as the trophy.

So it is with anything in life that is worth the doing.  Be sure the goal is worth pursuing.  Be sure you want it badly enough to pay the price to get it.  Train/prepare to get that goal like there is no tomorrow.  Develop antidotes and nullifiers for anything that can derail you. Set your face like flint and settle for nothing less than your best.

Just because it’s HARD does not mean you QUIT.

Until next time

Douglas E. Graham