Some people are inundated with the gift of gab. Others, with the gift of gold.
I, on the other hand, am lavishly blessed with the gift of grind. And you want to know something that will absolutely blow your mind?
So are you.
The opportunities to grind are endless. Grinding is the greatest gift of all. Grinding gives all of us purpose. As I have said before, a life of purpose is a life of happiness.
Unhappy about your overall station in life? Fantastic, let’s create an actionable plan to move out of this station and into a better one. Seek advice from your most trusted confidantes, as necessary.
Wish you had a couple more dollars in your bank account? Awesome, let’s get to work so that we can make it rain.
Unhappy with the way you look and feel? Great, time to grind at the gym, track your macronutrients, and prepare your meals.
Those with an external locus of control believe that everything that happens to them is a result of an external occurrence. In other words, “it can’t possibly be my fault—it was because…”
On the other hand, I grew up, and identify with, an internal locus of control – I am in control, in some way, shape, or form, of everything that occurs to me. And even if it “wasn’t my fault,” what’s the use in dwelling on something that I can’t control? Focus on what you can control and respond with ACTION.
My current focus in the gym and at the office is to improve both my back thickness and posture. Since I began competing, grinding has become a way of life—I have to WORK to improve the weak points in my physique.
Although I came in with a stronger, fuller chest during my May 2016 physique competition compared to the prior year, my weak point was certainly the thickness of my back. Thus, my focus for 2017 is to maintain my chest size and strength, while improving my back thickness. I have outlined the workouts I perform and the sets and repetition ranges to build a thicker back for this year’s physique competition.
Gym
Deadlift
- 5 Sets x 12, 8, 6, 6, 4 repetitions
Bent-over Barbell Row
- 5 sets x 12, 12, 8, 8, 6 repetitions
One-arm Dumbbell Row
- 4 sets (each arm) x 8 repetitions
Seated Cable Row with Wide Grip Handle
- 4 sets x 8-10 repetitions
Office
While seated at my desk, I maintain a high chest and focus on keeping my shoulders retracted. I have learned that this is deceptively difficult to sustain during the course of a day, since I am normally not conscious of my posture. My rear deltoids begin to fatigue at 1pm every day; however, I sustain my pose. I am confident that my body will adapt.
I have discovered that it is imperative that hardships be framed as opportunity to maintain positive energy in life. Nonetheless, many people in our world have failed to adopt this key mindset. To them, everything is out of his or her control, and they are condemned to a life of mediocrity. What a sad way to live—the epitome of mental slavery.
Luckily, it does not have to be this way. Our world is in need of a paradigm shift, and it will start with the following thought:
Instead of deflecting responsibility onto external sources, why not take ACTION and embrace the gift of grind?
NV
Fort Lauderdale, FL – October 2016