"Stop Pump Faking"

So…Here you are. In the very moment that you’ve been reliving in your mind over, and over again. The countless times that you’ve pre enacted this scenario ends a lot more victorious than when you are faced with the reality- or should I say, the opportunity to live it out. But this isn’t because of your lack of ability. It’s because of your lack of action that is preventing your ability, thus not allowing it to grow, as well. The wildest part of it all is that you unknowingly have every advantage. The ball is in your court. The ball is in your possession. There’s only one spectator in the stands. He looks and sounds just like you. He’s rabidly rooting for you. There was another spectator, but for some reason he’s never in the gym right when this moment and opportunity occurs. He’s not rooting for you, so he’s right where he needs to be…. where his existence doesn’t matter at the moment. And let’s not forget the biggest advantage of all. Your opponent is someone that you know better than anyone else could possibly know. Your opponent is you. 

Now, let’s evaluate the mindset that you are applying. The one that is blocking your realization of the power and the advantages that you have. The power that will grow every time that you use it. It is ready to be summoned. It hears you talk a good game while not faced with the challenges. It sees your ideas of “I’m going to…,” “I want to…,” and “I need to…” So, in these moments of pressure the power is with you and ready to be released.

But, you’re pump faking.

Now don’t get the wrong idea about this power and the advantages that come along with it. It is not perfect. Well, not in a “One shot, one kill” kind of way. But in a “I control all outcomes” kind of way. 

Let’s start to relate this to our struggles with attaining healthier lifestyle habits. We know this isn’t the easiest thing to do. Very few people completely change their habits overnight. But, in comparison, the number of people that completely changed their habits over a significant period of time is massively greater. They all started somewhere. Most commonly they started from a place of failure. Now, I’m going to reword that last sentence. Most commonly they started with a small win. They started a diet or a workout routine and stuck with it for maybe 3 days. Yup, sounds like a small win to me. You know why? Because if you did that once then you can do it again. And if you can do it again then you can probably do it better, or in this case, you can probably do it longer. At the very least an additional day. It’s a small progression, but a small win, nonetheless. But, what holds all of these growths and progressions together is a mindset of returning to the mission. Even while not making the best decisions at any moment, know that this moment is an expected part of your journey. As well as bouncing back and building on to what you’ve previously accomplished.

None of this will be possible for someone who never takes that shot. Who never finds out that they can maintain 3 whole days of something challenging and rewarding. Feed that accomplishment with good energy. Be proud of yourself. So proud that you want more for yourself. Get more with a minimally increased target. 

The alternative is to deprive that experience with negative energy, being down on yourself, and thinking less of your goals. This usually results in an ultimate regression causing you to resort back to the comfort of your usual ways. Now compare the two trajectories and think about which one will be closer to having a lifestyle of healthier habits in a year or two.

So, stop pump faking and take a shot. Take another and another. The difference between your wellness journey and shooting a basketball is that the goals get closer with every attempt. Be well.