So, in the last week, I had to travel to San Jose to speak at Search Engine Strategies, which is certainly an honor. I even worked out that first Monday, but then everything just fell apart. I was pretty sick, and surrounded by good restaurants, and so I slipped.
5.6 pounds is quite a bit, but it wasnt all gained in the last week. I started slipping the week before. It’s interesting because I talk about how success or failure is motivating, while mediocrity brings complacency. But I had a great success a couple weeks back, and I proceeded to sabotage myself. Why is that?
Is it that I dont want to be successful? I dont think so. I actually think its because I think too highly of myself. I have a bit of success and I think “Ive got this figured out, I dont need to stick to my routine.” And every time, I crash and burn.
Often, I speak about how for me failure is a process. Well, I need to realize so is success. There is no destination, there is no end. Everything is the process.
In lacrosse, I always teach my goalies to have short memories. 30 – 60 times a game, a white rubber ball is hurled at the goalie at speeds that can top 100 miles an hour. There is no way he will stop every single one. But its not only the ones that pass him by he needs to forget, but also the ones he saves. Too much glory, too much false belief in his invincibility, and the goals start piling up in bunches.
So, I have learned another life lesson. Failure is a process. Success is a process. And they are finite and ephemeral. In both cases, success and failure are tied to an action or inaction, and that action occurs once in a very short time. So, if I lose weight one week, I need to realize that I need to do it all over the next week. And if I gain weight one week, then I need to refocus my efforts the next.
I still believe that process sucks. I so much rather arrive at the end, good or bad. But, in this, process is king, and I need to embrace it.
I am still on for the 14er hike. Looks like we will be doing Mt. Beirstadt, and I am finalizing dates, but we are looking at Sept 22 or the first week in October. Mark Your Calendars! It will be the climb of the decade.
