Two People At The Gym

Let’s say there are two people that go to the same gym.

They both workout the same days each week.

They both do the same workout routines.

They both have the same goals.

They both even listen to the same music while they workout.

The only difference is that person one is obsessed. They push themselves as hard as they can, increasing their weight even when it feels impossible. They focus on every little detail of every single lift. After the gym, they aren't done. They eat a balanced protein-packed meal. They read books on fitness to better understand how to improve. They avoid unhealthy foods and alcohol which would steer them away from their goal.

Person two is not obsessed. They go through the motions at the gym. Not pushing themselves. Not caring about each lift in particular. After the gym, they are done. They stop at McDonald’s on the way back for chicken nuggets and an Oreo McFlurry. When they get home they flop onto the couch and flip on the TV. Every weekend they consume excessive amounts of alcohol and eat 3 bags of Doritos in one sitting.

Who do you think is going to get stronger and more fit? The obsessed person or the person who doesn’t care? Person two will tell you that they both workout the same amount. They both do the same routines. They will try to blame genetics for their lack of growth or spread rumors that person one is taking steroids. Person two believes that based on the vanity metric of “how much do you workout” they should both see equal results.

We know that will not be the case.

So why do we kid ourselves and behave like person two in aspects of our lives?

We want to get better at writing, painting, or creativity, but the effort we put into improving is lackluster.

The modern mind has been tainted by the false pretense that practice makes perfect. That by simply going through the motions we will become perfect. That is utterly false. Practice on its own will lead to nominal improvements when compared to focused effort is like night and day.

Bring energy to your life. Bring energy to your routines. Stop just going through the motion.