How Bad Do YOU Want It

Not everyone is as fired up about the new year. Between being at the gym and talking with my dad, who coaches girl’s basketball in high school, I have noticed a disturbing trend for our youth that has consistently gotten worse: no one wants to try anymore. I don’t know if it is the recurring discouragement of never making it pro or getting a full ride scholarship, but kids seem to have given up on their dreams. They want to put on a jersey and perform, but not try in practice or the weight room. Yes, this has been a recurrent problem since I was a kid and my dad was a kid and so on and so forth. But something about this entitled generation makes it even worse.

                Drew and I sat down last night at dinner and discussed programming and how to encourage kids and how to get kids to work hard. I thought of some great pep talks, but ultimately it boils down to them and how bad they want it. How bad do they want to be good at whatever it is they are working towards. One of my teammates while working out the other day told me that I was never going to be good enough to make money lifting weights and I shouldn’t take it so seriously and should just have fun with it. One part of me totally agrees with him. However, the other part of me ignites up and wants to prove him wrong. I don’t know if it was being raised in a coach’s home, if I’m far too competitive, if I’m just really hungry to achieve, or if I’m just downright delusional and crazy, but I truly believe that I can be the best if I work hard enough at it. Now, before you go calling the looney bin, I am realistic and will not go crazy. But, if I don’t enjoy what I do and I am not starving for a chance to get better, what’s the point? Seriously, guys… what is the point of waking up at 5 am and working out or counting your macros to the tee or putting your body through pain, soreness, and torture. You have to love it and you have to WANT IT!

                Just by putting on a jersey doesn’t mean you will win a trophy, an award, or even get to play. Just like putting on a suit and tie doesn’t mean you will get the job you want. You can look the part all day long, but trust me, everyone will see what your true character is. Likewise, just by walking in to Endunamoo S&C, doesn’t mean you will add 2 inches to your vertical or 20 pounds to your back squat. Drew is a wonderful programmer and an even better coach, but if you aren’t willing to work and do the things right, you won’t see improvements. Every warm up, exercise, stretch, etc. is calculated to the tee with thought and meaning. Doing them right and well and to the best of your ability is the way to see results. And if you aren’t satisfied with those results, you will push even harder. Trust me, not everyone is pushing themselves through blood, sweat, and literally tears.

                Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NASM) states: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.”

                Colossians 3:23 (NIV) states: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”

            So let me ask you one last time, how bad do you want to be good? How bad do you want to succeed? And seriously, how bad do you want it?