i’ve been thinking about this issue. I’m one who is generally against belief in the power of positive thinking, against affirmations, and motivational speakers and generally opposed to feeling like I am responsible alone for my success. I tend to agree with the proposition that our success is determined by many factors outside ourselves.
But….
I have been reading a lot of weightlifting/strength books and articles and i have been lifting a lot and think about how to get stronger a lot. in fact, I think about it and read about it and work on it every day. Strength trainers believe that you are 100% responsible for your outcome. genetics matter, of course, but what you make of yourself is 100% on you.
there is a very large mental component to lifting heavy weights. This belief is useful, arguably even necessary.
in fact, the importance of the metal attitude might be larger, or maybe just inseparable, from the physical component.
and your results are going to be almost entirely dependent on your mental attitude.
so i am rethinking my overall attitude on being self-made.
I am thinking, in terms of strength training, that you pretty much make yourself what you are. good advice, good training help, but basically it all comes down to you and your effort and your attitude and how much you want it. and having some good food available, and a place to sleep.
This last three weeks has been an amazing three weeks for me in terms of my drive and gains and focus and confidence.
And it’s making me wonder if maybe I wasn’t wrong about my original position regarding how much we control our destinies in other areas. I have literally been believing myself stronger. at least that’s how it feels.
250 is getting very close. p.s i deadlifted 300 lbs tonight. that’s not squatting but it’s still heavy. my kids witnessed it and said i turned beet red. i need more weights, since i only have 300 lbs. in terms of extremely macho sentences, i would say, “i need more weights” ranks among the most macho.
