"It’s the work in the dark when it’s difficult and damp that makes the work everyone sees in the light possible.” - Myron Golden
In the post-COVID world, phrases like “hard work,” “struggle,” “challenge,” and “difficult” have been swapped out for more palatable terms like “work smarter,” “work-life balance,” “hustle,” and “growth opportunity.” While this shift may appear to foster a positive mindset, it often masks the reality of what it takes to achieve true success.
The Illusion of Effortless Success
Popular culture today bombards us with illusions of effortless success. Social media feeds are filled with influencers who seem to have achieved greatness overnight. The perception that mastery and success come with little to no struggle is dangerously skewed, leading many to believe that they can achieve their goals without putting in the necessary effort.
Let’s set the record straight. I’m not here to preach about how much you should work; that’s a conversation you need to have with yourself. What I do want to address is the importance of shifting your perspective on what it takes to achieve your goals. Do not shy away from words like “hard work,” “struggle,” “challenge,” and “difficulty.” Embrace them, for they are the true drivers of success.
Usain Bolt: The Real Story of Hard Work
You may have heard the famous quote from Usain Bolt: “I trained four years to run nine seconds…” This quote only partially captures the immense dedication and effort he invested to achieve his goal. Bolt could have said something more like this: “I put in 4 hours a day, 28 hours a week, 112 hours a month, 1,344 hours a year, and a total of 5,376 hours in 4 years to run nine seconds, and people give up after 2 months.”
Bolt’s journey to becoming the fastest man on Earth was not a sprint but a marathon of relentless training, overcoming injuries, and pushing his limits every single day.
Tom Brady: A Legacy of Relentless Dedication
Tom Brady, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, didn’t achieve his legendary status by coasting through his career. During the off-season, Brady would routinely put in 8 hours of work each day. That’s 56 hours a week, 504 hours in 9 weeks, and a staggering 11,592 hours over his entire career, not including his in-season work.
Brady’s dedication to his craft is a testament to the power of consistent hard work and the willingness to face challenges head-on. His success on the field is the result of years of intense training, meticulous preparation, and an unyielding drive to improve.
The Top YouTube Personalities: Behind the Scenes
Even in the world of social media, where content can seem effortlessly polished, the reality is far different. Top YouTube personalities often invest around 80 hours to produce a single piece of content that lasts between 10 to 30 minutes. That’s a 1 to 160 ratio on the low end and a 1 to 480 ratio on the high end. Essentially, for every minute of content, they spend anywhere between 2.5 to 8 hours on planning, filming, editing, and perfecting their videos.
The Role of Hard Work in Health and Fitness
So, what does all of this have to do with health and fitness? The examples above highlight that mastery and success in any field only come after thousands of hours and years of consistent effort and hard work. Physical growth, change, and success are inextricably linked to embracing hard work, challenges, difficulties, and struggles.
In the realm of fitness, this means pushing through those grueling workouts, sticking to your diet plan even when it’s tempting to cheat, and staying committed to your goals despite setbacks. Consistency is key. Embrace the difficult physical challenges, and you will eventually have your moment in the sun.
Shifting Your Perspective
Achieving your health and fitness goals requires more than just showing up at the gym. It demands a smart plan and a foundation of hard work. Visualize your victory, track and celebrate small wins, and surround yourself with positivity. These strategies aren’t just ideas; they are your roadmap to becoming unstoppable.
Remember, the only limit is the one you set for yourself. Break through barriers, achieve greatness, and make those fitness dreams a reality.
If you need help pushing your boulder up the mountain and optimizing your training program, give us a call or text at (973) 352-0933. Talk to one of our expert trainers who are ready to help you every step of the way.
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