Attempts

1. First, realize you’re powerless NOT to do something stupid. Accept that. Embrace it. Now, promise yourself the following: The goal is to keep the goal the goal. Anything you add to your plan that’s not part of the goal will be the problem. Don’t do it. 2. Pieces of paper are cheaper than surgeries. Write out your goals, a specific date to achieve t

I wrote an article years ago with the idea that NEXT year’s resolution should be to weigh one pound less on the first of January than you do this year. The article got slammed by many readers. This obviously wasn’t hardcore enough, nor sexy or glitzy. But, as I warned one person, “Gentle reader, get back to me next January 1st.” Perhaps the interne

Years ago, when I first met Pavel Tsatsouline, he challenged me to do a “40-day workout.” I followed his simple instructions to a T. “For the next 40 workouts, pick five lifts. Do them every workout. Never miss a rep, in fact, never even get close to struggling. Go as light as you need to go, and don’t go over 10 reps for any of the movements in a

In 1996 in my administration newsletter, I wrote my three-point success formula: 1. Show up. 2. Don’t quit. 3. Ask questions.

Let’s get the list out there: 1. Invest wisely in asymmetrical risks. 2. Embrace the obvious. 3. Respect the process and the results will take care of themselves.

Here’s what most people think: If I get my goal, I’ll be happy. If I don’t get my goal, I’ll be sad. It’s simply not true: Pain and pleasure are something we need to understand better. Is there pleasure in NOT getting my goal? Yes. Is there pain in GETTING my goal? Yes. This needs to be discussed.

To get stronger, lift weights. For recovery, sleep. For hydration, drink water. Oddly, this makes people laugh. I laugh, too, because it’s, well, obvious. Embrace this. When faced with a problem, a simple way to begin is this: What’s the obvious solution? No matter what sport, game, occupation or journey you embark upon, focusing on the obvious wil

It’s easy to say “Show up” or post or make a meme of it. In real life, though, it can be hard to do. Showing up means you get out of your comfy bed and spend a day pushing, pulling and hauling loads and loads of stuff up and down flights of stairs like my friends have done for me over and over. Chris Long and I used to joke we were Dumb and Dumber