Only if you win the lottery is anything free. However, even when you win the lottery the government takes all it can despite you footing the bill and taking the risk in the first place. In the real world if you want something the price to attain your defined success is built into the effort.
Conventional wisdom dictates that nothing is free and nothing is owed to me/you just because we are here in this world. The very first thing we have to do is determine what we want and whether we are willing to pay the price to get what we want. Without this step there is nothing else to be done. In bodybuilding, we have to start here. Next, we develop a plan to get to the end game. After that we begin. We will invest our total inventory of assets to win. Our time, our money, effort, our sweat, and sometimes our blood. There are times we will pay with our bodies in the form of injuries resulting in repair and rehab. Not to mention the hundreds of hours of practice posing and presentation of our physiques before a panel of judges. There are just no shortcuts! My mantra is, “DO THE WORK.”
All of us who have been on stage remembers the exhilaration of just being in the best shape of our lives, standing alongside other athletes who have also made the journey to this moment. This moment is, all by itself, a success. One of my friends one time said to me as I was describing what it was like to be on stage, “Doug, when you are on stage there are a thousand other guys who wished they could do what you do.” Wow! I never considered that perspective before. I was instantly humbled. I had no idea.
The next part of a successful contest is placing well amongst your colleagues. Believe me! There is no greater thrill than finishing well and being satisfied with the result.
In closing, please note that the success and the journey are self defined and it is earned. Nobody has given you a thing. It’s hard but the victory and success belongs to you. Finally, nobody can take your success away from you. This is the definition of a win!
“SUCCESS ISN’T GIVEN——- IT’S EARNED”
Six Pack and Senior 