Why 63% (Or 77%, or 94%, Whatever) of Life Is Mental

Life is not hard.

When you break it down, there are three simple steps: we are born, we live and do some stuff, and then we die. Not complicated, right? So why then, you might ask, does it feel so hard so much of the time? Why do we feel like we're drowning? Why does it feel so hard to balance schoolwork and mortgages and eating healthy and taking care of kids and working out and keeping the dog out of the trash and praying that the house your neighbors just moved out of doesn't end up occupied by crystal meth addicts?

Because we make it hard.

The human mind is one of the greatest developments in evolutionary history. It has enabled us to reach the stars, transform the face of our planet, and advance our species so far that we are without equal on Earth.

But the human mind is also one of our greatest enemies. Your mind makes you scared. It causes fear. It's immediate reaction to any situation is to retreat to safety. It's not your fault - evolution works, and it works pretty damn well. You likely would not be here had your ancestors NOT been intrinsically motivated by their mind to seek the safest environments and make safe decisions. While this helped your ancestors survive, in our modern civilization, sometimes our mind's preference for safety is detrimental to our success. The mind fears risk, and wants to avert risk at all costs. 

What does that mean for you? In a society full of comfort, it means you must now actively seek out challenging situations for yourself. Without challenge, you become content. When you become content, you become bored. And when you become content and bored, well, that's when you end up eating an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's (mmm, ice cream..) while watching infomercials at 2am, wondering what the hell you're doing with your life.

SO WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

Overcome your mind. Ignore it. Drown it out with other messages - positive messages, motivational messages, silent messages. Do whatever it takes, whatever works best for you and keeps your mind quiet while you push yourself physically and mentally. Your mind opposes self-improvement because it opposes change, but you overcome it each time you choose hard work over comfort.

Overcome "That Voice"

"This bed is just so comfortable.."

"Just five more minutes. I'll get up the next time snooze goes off, really!"

"I've already overslept 30 minutes. What's another 5 going to harm?" 

We all know "that voice". 

Listen to this corgi instead

"That voice" tells you to hit snooze; just five more minutes this time. "That voice" tells you to stay on the couch, because you've had a long day and can go to the gym tomorrow. "That voice" tells you learning to cook is a waste of time because you'll never become Guy Fieri (or even Guy Fieri's distant cousin, Bro Fieri) so why bother? "That voice" is one of the most underrated, insidious, treacherous villains around. Why? Because "that voice" is internal.

The best way to defeat "that voice" is through action. Verbs. Doing. Remember the Nike "Just Do It" ads?

Want to get up at 5:30am to get to the gym before your busy day hits? Just do it.

Want to learn to cook a killer salmon with sides that would make KFC green with envy? Just do it.

Want to build up the stamina to run a 5K? Just do it.

Whatever it is you want (or need) to do, STOP THINKING AND JUST DO IT.

Whatever your fitness goals may be - whether it's a starting step like walking 1 mile every day, or something more advanced, like reaching 6% body fat - there are no shortcuts or magic bullets. As far as science and technology have come, there is still no replacement for blood, sweat, tears, and hard work. It's a cruel irony that our ancestors had to run for food, and now we must run from it. But that's life.

The good news is that the more you tell "that voice" to shove it, the easier it becomes, the quieter "that voice" gets, and the stronger YOU become mentally. You'll soon discover you have the willpower to accomplish anything you set your mind to, as "that voice" of negativity and darkness is replaced by a calm, cool confidence, leading you to the accomplishments you've dreamed of, and beyond.