Second Best

I don’t think of myself as someone who possesses patience. I practice instant gratification.  It’s worked for me generally speaking, but I strive to be more patient and to embrace the struggle.  To play the long game has many advantages and there are just some things that can’t be rushed: like strength.  As crossfitters, we all strive to be stronger, but our bodies can only adapt so fast.  We don’t just go to 3 classes a week and suddenly squat 500lbs.  That kind of strength is hard-won.  I’m not suggesting we all strive to squat 500lbs, but I do think we all should put in the time and effort to grow stronger.  That means you need a commitment.  You need a habit.  You need motivation.  You need to do a lot of short-term efforts that will lead to long-term gains.

Like I said, I practice instant gratification and when I look at myself, I can say “I wish I’d been more patient. I wish I had been more diligent.  I wish I hadn’t sacrificed the long-term gain for the short-term satisfaction.”  Like someone that wished they had invested in the market when it was low.  But there’s an old Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”  I can’t change the past.  I can only make a better choice right now to go and lift some weights, to do some pull-ups and to get my heartrate up.  The second best time to invest your your strength is right now.

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