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How progress is made

I stumbled across this rather excellent quote from Thomas Henry Huxley this morning, and it summed quite nicely the foundation on which I firmly believe progress is made.

“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not. It is the first lesson that ought to be learned and however early a man’s training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly.”

I often hear people talk about the psychology of training or dieting, as if this notion were an adjunct to the physical challenges of exercise or hunger.

It’s ALL psychology.

  • Do I want to train today?
  • Can I keep going?
  • Do I have another repetition?
  • This is so hard, should I stop?
  • Should I eat that?
  • Have I had enough?
  • I know this is unhealthy, but?

Short of injury or death, literally every aspect of your training and eating regimen is mental. 

Yes, sometimes we are hugely motivated to make good choices. Other times, we find ourselves with the support of friends and family to encourage us to better things.

But more often than not, you are alone. It’s up to you. Your choices, good or bad.

And when motivation runs dry, and it will, it’s discipline that will see you through; the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.

I think I would have liked this Huxley fellow.

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