I find that once I’ve decided on what I am going to the hardest thing is to “IGNORE THE NOISE.” Let me explain. distracting or discouraging “NOISE” comes at you in in waves and mostly when you’re trying to think through what’s required and what it means. Take for instance when you are laying out a plan to develop giant arms. You intellectually know what’s needed and so you write it down. You put together a targeted program aimed at giving you much bigger arms. Then it comes time to execute the plan. You attack with a vengeance. You get it done and your arms are screaming with pain. Later in the week it’s time to do it again. This time you have less enthusiasm as you recall the pain that the effort demands. Each time you work your arms there is a hesitancy to do it for the same reasons. Soon, you are questioning whether you should even continue this training for obvious reasons.
In the meantime, your buddies are starting to say things like, “It doesn’t seem like your new program is having much of an effect!” OUCH! In our zeal to grow and to get rid of our critics we modify our training to suit the opinions of others. Much to our undoing. We instead start listening the “NOISE” these detractors are uttering.
Believe me! It is hard to focus on our goals when we are listening to the “noise” that critics are dishing out. Sometimes, they don’t have to say a thing. Their body language provides the same “noise.”
It is here that we must “FOCUS ON OUR GOALS” and block out any and all “NOISE” that takes our attention off reaching our goal. The “NOISE” has to be overcome. There is no other way to “FOCUS” if we relent and allow the “NOISE” to drown our our “FOCUS.”
In closing: Let me urge each of us to learn the discipline of blunting that “NOISE” which so often besets us and prevent us from winning. Stay the course even when it’s seemingly too hard to keep going. Never look back. Never settle. You will always win if you do. Learn to quiet the doubting heart and the harsh words of those who want you to fail.
Six Pack and Senior 