March 9, 2020
Toughness isn’t a Time of Day
Our Hardest-Working Groups occur in the early hours of the Day.
We have an Adult 5:00am Group that truly Gets It Done, on a Consistent Basis, for over a Decade. (Yes, 11yrs+, you read that correctly)…
Our College Group, an incredibly diligent and motivated Group, show-up ~20min before their 5:30am Summer Workout Time and to begin their Prep every single day…
We have plenty of other Terrific Groups, but the Commitment Demonstrated by these Crews is just amazing.
I Love Coaching both of these Groups, and it Energizes Me to do so…
It makes this Collection of People very Dedicated, soundly Organized, “Self-Starters”, all solid qualities. But it does not make them “Tough” …
We associate Tough with Getting Up Early, Putting in the Work to Start the Day, and Grinding from that point forward…
And we do have some Tough People that Train in those Groups.
In fact, for many of them, they “Get Tougher” by Making Training their first (and earliest) Priority…
But the Clock doesn’t Make You Tough*
Being in a Dedicated Group doesn’t Make You Tough*
Working Out Early to Start the day doesn’t Make You Tough*
Let me explain why…
Quite Frankly, I think many People confuse “Toughness” with Exhaustion, with Being Stubborn, and with Rigid/Fixed Behavior.
Effort is always associated with Toughness, and to be certain, it is a Component. But it isn’t a “Differentiator” at Higher Levels of Achievement (it can be at the Highest), because everyone is already Working Hard…
The Phrase: “Your Greatest Strength is your Biggest Weakness” has been around for a Hundred Years because it is frequently True. “Effort” is a Characteristic that allows you to Achieve, but it can become a Detriment when not Complimented and Surpassed by other Qualities obtained on your Journey to Improvement.
Because Everyone, and I mean Everyone, that is Successful, gives Quality Effort.
So, if Effort is Necessary, but not the most Important Quality, What Is?
The answer is Complex.
Your Answer may be Simple.
Toughness has many “Names” and Definitions, but let’s find a Common Theme for now:
Toughness is Your Ability to Handle Difficult Situations without a Noticeable Decline in Personal Production, and a Fear of the “Unknown”.
Toughness is the Consistent and Systematic Approach used by an Individual to Proceed towards their Goal, Outcome, or Overall Improvement.
Toughness is Addressing Your “Need To” before Your “Want To”
Toughness isn’t 4:00am, or “Early Morning”, but it can be…
Toughness isn’t Pushing Your Physical Limits every Day, but that can work for a Period of Time…
Toughness isn’t Being the Hardest Worker in the Room, especially if you rarely “Work Smart”, but it does help…
Toughness is an Attitude of Opportunity, of Perseverance, and a Method of Handling whatever comes your Way.
Toughness is a Commitment to a Goal, an Outcome, or Everyday Opportunities, without a Compromise of Who You Are or What You Believe In…
Toughness is Taking a Step towards “Better” right now…
Toughness is a part of the Skill set that makes You “More”, each and every Day…
How Much Toughness Do You Need?
We Have No Idea.
But you Need Some, and you can Build Your Reserve by the Day.
But it doesn’t come from the Clock, from your Fitness Levels, or from Being Exhausted.
It comes from a Mind-Set of Achievement, Making the Most of Your Opportunities, and Having a Plan of “Better” …
We will discuss, in Part II of this Article, Strategies, Plans, Behaviors and Opportunities to Develop “Toughness” (Wide Definition Applies)…
Not only “Real World” Applications that we have Used + Observed but also the Theoretical Methods that help Build the Foundation of Improvement…
Finally, not everyone needs to emulate David Goggins or Jocko Willink, but everyone should have just a bit of that Mojo inside of them…
