The first time I saw this video, I sat in silence for a good five minutes afterwards, just letting the truth of it flood over me. In working with dozens of personal training clients on a daily basis, the sequence of fast-motion excuses sounded like a synopsis of one of my worst days, minus the counting of repetitions. I was half tempted to send out this video with no commentary whatsoever, as I believe the content speaks for itself. But I have a big mouth, so we know that’s not possible.

Life is a constant, non-stop series of choices, from the moment of birth until the moment of death, a series of competing alternatives that cannot coexist or cohabitate, that you must choose between. In every paired sequence, one is presented with a “simpler” option, and a more “difficult” option. The more difficult is more difficult precisely because it requires more investment– more focus, attention, movement, thought, risk, momentary pain, temporary discomfort, blood, sweat, tears, etc. (insert your own cliché). The easier alternative, by contrast, comes more naturally, with less investment. It pops into one’s field of vision as the preferable, as the path of least resistance; it beckons to the individual with promises of comfort, smoothness, and calm.

I spoke with one of my clients this morning after my competition last night, giving him details of my and Nikki’s achievement. His exact words were: “Dave, you get out of this life what you put into it. Let me repeat that [speaking as slowly as I have ever heard him say anything and emphasizing every… last… word], YOU GET OUT OF THIS LIFE WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT”.

There is always an excuse. There is always a reason to not sweat, to not get involved or invested, to not pursue a higher goal. There is always an alternative that would be more immediately enjoyable, precisely because it would require less risk and less discomfort. Listen specifically to the sequence in the video that says as follows: “I have a case of the Mondays… the Tuesdays… the Wednesdays”. Did you get that? EVERY DAY is a reason to not get sweaty, to not play. Yet some do. Do you?

There will always be upset stomachs, calluses, sprained ankles… children, work, family… diseases, colds, illnesses… holidays, anniversaries, birthday parties, celebrations… work events, life events… identity crises, personal issues, soul searching quests… job changes, promotions, demotions, terminations, lay offs… lateral shifts, transfers, upgrades, downgrades…

There will always be a million and one reasons to not play…

There will always be an excuse…

And some will still play. And some will not. And it’s really as simple as that.

Wanna’ play?

-David A. Johnston

Stop Sign Image borrowed from http://pamelavillars.wordpress.com