Fit for Life: Zip Ties & Duct Tape

Fit for Life: Zip Ties & Duct Tape

Throughout my attendance at self-development and growth conferences, I have heard several stories of conflicting energies and frequencies that we all carry around inside of us. In this article, I will explore three analogies that I think about on a regular basis. They help me overcome obstacles that can hold the best of us back from becoming our best selves.

 

One is the tale of two wolves: A young Indian warrior talks with his Chief, who explains that we all have two wolves fighting inside us. One wolf, the Chief explains, is fueled by procrastination, hate, anger, resentment, fear, jealousy, and a scarcity mindset. The Chief explains that the other is driven by action, love, compassion, courage, empathy, and an abundant mindset, and they continue to fight within all of us. "So, which one will win?" Asks the young warrior. The Chief replies: The one you feed the most.

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Another analogy, one I heard again this past week, is that we all have an inner advocate and an inner critic within us. One is riding shotgun in the passenger seat, and one is zip-tied and duct-taped, like a hostage, in the trunk of our car.

The critic is the one who tells us that we weren't meant for more and that we should just accept mediocrity. Opening a business is too hard, working out is a waste of time, eating healthy makes you boring, trying to climb the corporate ladder makes you a brown nose, kiss ass, etc.

 

Our inner advocate gives us permission to pursue our goals and work on becoming the best version of ourselves. The advocate lets us know that we have just as much potential as anyone else and that we are not inferior to anyone, regardless of our status or upbringing. Therefore, it's up to us to zip-tie the critic, throw them in the trunk, and allow the advocate to ride next to us in the passenger seat.

 

Lastly, and the analogy I like to use to keep myself going, is that we all have an inner bitch and an inner beast festering inside of us. When the inner bitch speaks, it tells me to stay in bed a little longer than planned, stop working out when I have a few reps left inside me, avoid having difficult conversations, don't push through when you are tired, take the easy way, and eat junk, etc.

 

In contrast, my inner beast is the one that makes me do an extra rep or set in the gym, gives me the energy to get up when I'm still tired, turn off the hot water in the shower and go cold, run a 5k when I hate to run, and avoid eating crap food in exchange for sticking with my nutrition so I can stay dialed in, and not having a drink at a function when everyone else is. I am always reaching deep to find the beast when the bitch shows up and wants me to quit.

 

So, how do we tap into our good wolf, advocate, and beast version of ourselves? First, it's a mindset that we need to constantly take steps to program, and then it is our actions to make it all happen. We need both, as one without the other will be ineffective. Here are some action steps to take:

 

The most important thing is the company you keep. You must surround yourself with like-minded, high-performing people. You become a product of your environment. Hang with people who drink and party, and you will, too. Hang with people on a mission to become better, and you will, too. Remove the toxic influences from your life to grow.

 

Program yourself to win, then acknowledge the wins. My girlfriend Melody finishes the year with a win for each of the last 100 days of the year, then posts her win, so she holds herself accountable to accomplish one daily. This is an outstanding idea, as it programs her mindset to search for the positive actions she accomplishes daily instead of dwelling on the things that go wrong throughout her day.

 

Lastly, focus on what you can control. Worrying about the next president, the weather, the wars across the globe, etc., will not serve you positively, as all of the above is out of our control. Yes, you can vote. However, the outcome is based on a bigger scale than your one vote, so expending time and energy worrying is ineffective.

 

Instead, spend time and energy focusing on the things you can control, like your health, ability to outwork others, and capacity to improve your relationships. These things are in your control, and the more effort you put into these actions, the stronger you become on all levels.

 

So take that inner critic and zip them, cover their mouth with duct tape, and throw them in the car's trunk. On your way to the driver's seat, give the inner bitch a slap, and drive towards being the best version of yourself.

 

Committed to being better,

Coach Matt