I think this quote, spoke to me the most. Not reaching my potential scares me. My life isn't comfortable, but I sure as heck don't want to die without reaching my potential. Actually, I don't want to die. I've got too much to do!
“You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.”
That's a terrific question, Tim. Right now, I'm not entirely sure. I made a few changes a couple of months ago to develop the habit of getting up earlier and using that time specifically for writing. I'm also writing in new (to me) formats.
I'm well past the age and physical interest in doing anything extreme. But I'm still curious and full of stories. So I think further potential will have to be explored in that direction.
I started working with a personal fitness trainer today. I need the intensity. When I was feeling pushed and tapped out, I knew I was only at 40% and I swear the weights got lighter.
There is a neuroscience explanation - as you stress muscles through cycles, they get oxygenated and in the next training session scarred and over time rebuild to become stronger.
This is why a good fitness trainer will gradually take you to 70% of your capability.
On an event - you can then go to 110% but not during training.
As a rule of thumb in cycling or running - you can do 3X your training distance.
Yes I do! I have this fantastic online writing coach. He's a shining example of writing to enhance your life, support others and monetize. You should check him out. Tim Denning. (This is not a paid ad. haha!)
2. "You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential."
This is why most dreams end up in the graveyard. What a waste!
3. "Nobody cares what you did yesterday. What have you done today to better yourself?"
It's called progress. Evolve or slowly die inside.
4. "Fear is my ultimate guide"
This one I live for. This is the rocket fuel to get somewhere on all levels.
5. "When you think that you are done, you're only 40% into what your body's capable of doing.
That's just the limits that we put on ourselves."
You set your goals from your limited experience in your current life, which is not much. Set more tension on the bow.
6. "Be more than motivated, be more than driven, become literally obsessed to the point where people think you're f*cking nuts."
Be really good at what you are doing, and the solutions to your problems and dreams will line up.
7. "When you're driven, whatever is in front of you, whether it's racism, sexism, injuries, divorce, depression, obesity, tragedy, or poverty, becomes fuel for your metamorphosis."
I see every obstacle as a possibility for growth, and I'm grateful for it. You read that right.
8. "When you stop blaming other people for your problems...when you stop procrastinating, b*tching and complaining about how unfair life is...it is truly amazing what the f*ck you can accomplish with your life!"
I love to take responsibility because it makes me feel alive and proud to stand up for something.
9. "Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance and beautiful silence."
This is my favorite. Pain, obstacle, or problem takes away the whining and gets your attention to focus on the goal. On the way, you learn to appreciate the silence when you focus. You grow and get stronger, both physically and mentally. After a while, you are looking for pain because you want to grow. It feels good to grow. That's why Goggins keeps doing what looks insane to most people. You understand when you try it. After a while, you even enjoy it while doing it because it makes you so much more. You become unstoppable.
I realized I've been living WAY too comfortable to reach Enlightenment. If I want to get to Oneness in this lifetime I have to stop bullshitting myself and make it the focus experiment of my everyday. (hey! that's good stuff! I'm heading over to substacks drafts to get an article going)
I've heard of David. He's got incredible willpower. He's never been my motivation but I'm proud to say I know how to push myself to the limit, at least physically :) it's those 13 km runs and pull-ups at 5:00 am that, if I do them too often, give me a migraine. Then, I know I've overdone it but I also know I'm no lazy ass.
I stumbled upon David Goggins via Andrew Huber. He gives you that feeling like you just left the movie theater having watched Rocky launch up the library steps. But on steroids.
My problem is I’m scared of everything. Literally everything. I have good reason. Things like I’m facing eviction and it will put me on the street. I’ve lived on the street. I keep to myself so I’m not dragged into a cult or something. Still, standing up to a 6’7” drug dealer in a dark alley cos he says he’s going to pimp you out cos you owe him money, is no small feat. But I threw a bike at him and told him to keep it and not to comeback. He didn’t.
That’s a healthy fear. But why am I in this position anyway? I’d say the ravages of childhood trauma. It’s not easy losing half your family in a house fire, little brothers, and you get to live. Only, I didn’t want to live. I wanted my brothers to live. They were babies. So was I in some respects, 14.
But I still need to conquer the idea that I don’t deserve anything, I don’t deserve life. And I have only 6 weeks to figure it out or I won’t have a place to live. I’m petrified.
But tough shit. No one is saving me. My family isn’t in this country, my family is still shattered 35 years later. I want to make it. But I’m so used to not that I almost don’t know how to be brave.
"I never set a goal I can reach" made me think sooo hard about my goals & where I stand with them & oh my god, this principle combined with the 40% limit rule - I'll literally be a whole new human if I can work on myself with just these two rules. Thank you!
Here is a method that works in general and worked for me when I was training for triathlon.
Let's assume a 6 week training plan. You will have a peak target.
Manage fatigue by reducing training volume in the final weeks leading up to your peak target.
Maintain fitness and strength by keeping intensity high, even as volume is reduced during your peaking phase.
Increase specificity of your training to closely match your target.
Carefully manage your nutrition, hydration, and supplementation in the final "peak week" to maximize muscle glycogen, minimize subcutaneous water, and reduce bloating.
Get enough rest.
Here's an article on evidence based training and nutrition. I know you are a super-thorough researcher, might interest you.
I think this quote, spoke to me the most. Not reaching my potential scares me. My life isn't comfortable, but I sure as heck don't want to die without reaching my potential. Actually, I don't want to die. I've got too much to do!
“You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.”
What are you going to do differently to unlock more potential Carolyn?
That's a terrific question, Tim. Right now, I'm not entirely sure. I made a few changes a couple of months ago to develop the habit of getting up earlier and using that time specifically for writing. I'm also writing in new (to me) formats.
I'm well past the age and physical interest in doing anything extreme. But I'm still curious and full of stories. So I think further potential will have to be explored in that direction.
Nice Carolyn, small moves over time add up.
I started working with a personal fitness trainer today. I need the intensity. When I was feeling pushed and tapped out, I knew I was only at 40% and I swear the weights got lighter.
Connie
There is a neuroscience explanation - as you stress muscles through cycles, they get oxygenated and in the next training session scarred and over time rebuild to become stronger.
This is why a good fitness trainer will gradually take you to 70% of your capability.
On an event - you can then go to 110% but not during training.
As a rule of thumb in cycling or running - you can do 3X your training distance.
But only with gradual and pyramidal training
Success!
How do we reach our peak each session Danny? I find I've plateued with exercise intensity and the amount of weight.
Personal training is so powerful Connie. Do you have any other types of coaches?
Yes I do! I have this fantastic online writing coach. He's a shining example of writing to enhance your life, support others and monetize. You should check him out. Tim Denning. (This is not a paid ad. haha!)
Homage to the Master!
His book blew my mind, I think this is a great reminder to read it again.
Yeah, his book can't hurt me was so good. Have you read his other book? Worth a read?
1. "I never set a goal I can reach"
If you do, you have already limited your success.
2. "You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential."
This is why most dreams end up in the graveyard. What a waste!
3. "Nobody cares what you did yesterday. What have you done today to better yourself?"
It's called progress. Evolve or slowly die inside.
4. "Fear is my ultimate guide"
This one I live for. This is the rocket fuel to get somewhere on all levels.
5. "When you think that you are done, you're only 40% into what your body's capable of doing.
That's just the limits that we put on ourselves."
You set your goals from your limited experience in your current life, which is not much. Set more tension on the bow.
6. "Be more than motivated, be more than driven, become literally obsessed to the point where people think you're f*cking nuts."
Be really good at what you are doing, and the solutions to your problems and dreams will line up.
7. "When you're driven, whatever is in front of you, whether it's racism, sexism, injuries, divorce, depression, obesity, tragedy, or poverty, becomes fuel for your metamorphosis."
I see every obstacle as a possibility for growth, and I'm grateful for it. You read that right.
8. "When you stop blaming other people for your problems...when you stop procrastinating, b*tching and complaining about how unfair life is...it is truly amazing what the f*ck you can accomplish with your life!"
I love to take responsibility because it makes me feel alive and proud to stand up for something.
9. "Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance and beautiful silence."
This is my favorite. Pain, obstacle, or problem takes away the whining and gets your attention to focus on the goal. On the way, you learn to appreciate the silence when you focus. You grow and get stronger, both physically and mentally. After a while, you are looking for pain because you want to grow. It feels good to grow. That's why Goggins keeps doing what looks insane to most people. You understand when you try it. After a while, you even enjoy it while doing it because it makes you so much more. You become unstoppable.
Tim you're reading my journal again. Stop it!
haha....why's that?
I realized I've been living WAY too comfortable to reach Enlightenment. If I want to get to Oneness in this lifetime I have to stop bullshitting myself and make it the focus experiment of my everyday. (hey! that's good stuff! I'm heading over to substacks drafts to get an article going)
I've heard of David. He's got incredible willpower. He's never been my motivation but I'm proud to say I know how to push myself to the limit, at least physically :) it's those 13 km runs and pull-ups at 5:00 am that, if I do them too often, give me a migraine. Then, I know I've overdone it but I also know I'm no lazy ass.
What's the secret ingredient Denis to your runs?
There's no secret, Tim. I simply love the feeling of having accomplished something by 7:00 am. The entire day seems easy then.
One to think about, then action!
Anybody who runs until they break bones and their kidneys shut down is a nut job. End of story.
Keep an open mind Thomas. Like I said, not everything he does is worth paying attention to.
5
I agree with Charles.
Never get tired of reading Unfiltered Tim's pubs. Always motivating and stimulating!
Barry Hicks
I stumbled upon David Goggins via Andrew Huber. He gives you that feeling like you just left the movie theater having watched Rocky launch up the library steps. But on steroids.
My problem is I’m scared of everything. Literally everything. I have good reason. Things like I’m facing eviction and it will put me on the street. I’ve lived on the street. I keep to myself so I’m not dragged into a cult or something. Still, standing up to a 6’7” drug dealer in a dark alley cos he says he’s going to pimp you out cos you owe him money, is no small feat. But I threw a bike at him and told him to keep it and not to comeback. He didn’t.
That’s a healthy fear. But why am I in this position anyway? I’d say the ravages of childhood trauma. It’s not easy losing half your family in a house fire, little brothers, and you get to live. Only, I didn’t want to live. I wanted my brothers to live. They were babies. So was I in some respects, 14.
But I still need to conquer the idea that I don’t deserve anything, I don’t deserve life. And I have only 6 weeks to figure it out or I won’t have a place to live. I’m petrified.
But tough shit. No one is saving me. My family isn’t in this country, my family is still shattered 35 years later. I want to make it. But I’m so used to not that I almost don’t know how to be brave.
I increasingly value fear in both physical and intellectual pursuits. Nice highlights, Tim.
He reminds me of my Army Ranger Buddy, through broken bones and bad combat parachute landings at 500 feet in the night.
We got our asses whupped pretty good most of the time.
Constant danger and peril surrounds you like sunlight.
But what keeps you going beyond is the call of duty.
At some point he is not lucky to be in this space. The world needs his perspective and grit.
We are lucky to have him…
And Tim.
"I never set a goal I can reach" made me think sooo hard about my goals & where I stand with them & oh my god, this principle combined with the 40% limit rule - I'll literally be a whole new human if I can work on myself with just these two rules. Thank you!
I assume you are weight lifting.
Here is a method that works in general and worked for me when I was training for triathlon.
Let's assume a 6 week training plan. You will have a peak target.
Manage fatigue by reducing training volume in the final weeks leading up to your peak target.
Maintain fitness and strength by keeping intensity high, even as volume is reduced during your peaking phase.
Increase specificity of your training to closely match your target.
Carefully manage your nutrition, hydration, and supplementation in the final "peak week" to maximize muscle glycogen, minimize subcutaneous water, and reduce bloating.
Get enough rest.
Here's an article on evidence based training and nutrition. I know you are a super-thorough researcher, might interest you.
https://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13102-021-00296-y
Good luck