Last week we started a series in these newsletters. Throughout the next several weeks we will dive into some of the key points that we took home from attending Parker Seminars in Las Vegas.
This week we will be discussing this gem from Dan John -
"The answer is usually obvious, but rarely easy."
Dan John is a well-known author and strength coach. He is known for his no-nonsense approach to strength training. In addition to the above, he is also an All-American discus thrower, a high level olympic lifter, a Highland Games athlete, a podcast host, a track and field coach, and an all around great guy.
I was first introduced to Dan John's work through the kettlebell world. He is a Master RKC, and a lead instructor for many RKC training sessions. He has also been credited with creating an exercise that most of you have been introduced to in our office... The Goblet Squat. Some of you love it and some of you don't, but everyone can benefit from doing it!
During Dan's talk at our seminar, he made the very simple, yet very profound statement above. When he said this, he was discussing one of his preferred strength training programs, but this quote can be applied to so many aspects of our lives.
Throughout our lives, we are often faced with what appears, at the moment, to be an insurmountable obstacle. Often this challenge will be so daunting that we do not even know where to begin. We could be talking about getting stronger, or losing weight, or facing financial challenges, or difficulty within a relationship, or... This list is endless. While all of these potential issues are different, there is almost always an obvious first step that we can take to improve the situation.
Once that first step is identified, implementing that answer is, as Dan John said above, where the challenge really lies. The next time you find yourself facing an apparently insurmountable challenge, step back for a moment and ask yourself this simple question - "What one thing can I do right now that will help to alleviate this problem?" Then do that one thing that comes to your mind. Wake up the next day and chose to do it again, then again on the next, and the next. Consistency becomes the key that unlocks the door of progress.
Once that habit has been implemented into your routines, step back and ask yourself the same question again. Then take the same steps to incorporate the new habits again. In doing so, you are taking another step towards improving your situation and resolving the issues that you face.
Look for the obvious answer when facing life's issues, then focus your energy on how to make the changes required to improve!
THEN MAKE IT HAPPEN!
