It's very easy to be down on yourself when you aren't living up to your own expectations. As a starting point it helps if you have expectations. I assume we all do. If you don't then stop reading, this isn't for you. If your still with me, then you might already know that when you fail to meet those expectations you essentially have two choices, and those are get better at whatever it is and closer to where you need to be, or stop.
I guess that is only one choice. The other isn't a choice at all, it's a failure. For those who don't know, failure isn't a choice, it's a settlement for the weak. You should never be satisfied, you should never stop being hungry or wanting more.
I believe that failure or weakness should be a catalyst for a fight, not a hall pass to rest and remain mediocre.
Let me share an almost on the spot example (tonight) and some other thoughts that have been brewing here in scarytown. Some might feel that my example isn't particularly substantial but the relevance to choices dawned on me almost immediately when it happened.
Due to my overactive ego and miserable form, I went against my previous revelations and did some shitty squats at a weight I am too week to handle correctly. So, as a result I cracked the shit out of my spine today. It hurt instantly as if a lightning bolt had shot up my ass and into my back. Fortunately I caught the exact moment on video and was able to have the pleasure of watching myself writhe. It's pretty gross to watch, but I have now reviewed the video about 10 times, and isolated the exact moment of incident. I punctuated my subsequent failure with a very disappointed exclamation of "FUCK". But, I knew that both my frustration and disappointment was well deserved because I wasn't listening. This was a choice I made. I chose not to listen. Effectively by not listening to myself and by also not listening to a series of very successful people who know much more on the subject than I do, I set myself up in a position where failure was an option. Smart enough to stop, assess the situation and make a good decision, I came home to lick my wounds and regroup.
It is understandable that you want your program to show results. But please understand
this, if you miss everything else in this entire book: stronger does not necessarily mean more
weight on the bar. Resist the temptation to add weight at the expense of correct technique - you are doing no one any favors when you sacrifice form for weight on the bar. Progress stops, bad habits get formed, injuries accumulate, and no one benefits in the long run.
~Mark Rippetoe, Starting Strength 2nd Edition p. 299
Had I read this about 2 months ago, I literally might be stronger today. We can Insert the White Men Can't Jump Jimmy Hendrix conversation here as I read it, I just didn't REALLY read it.
Moving on, it was a great rebound this morning as I was up an at it early and into some much needed shoulder work. For some reason I thought I was neglecting them lately. I did some "newish" programming and added some volume to account for the fact that I want my form to be spot on.
Shoulder & Upper Back Work.
Shoulder Press - 5x10,45x10,60x8,70x6,70x7,85x5,95x7,95x7,95x3
Barbell Shrugs - 135x20,135x20,225x10,225x10,315x7
Pendlay Rows - 65x10,85x10,85x10 (Was being super strict on my form here)
Behind the Neck Press - 45x10,55x10,65x10 (First attempt at this)
Power Cleans - 65x5,65x5,85x5,105x3,120x2,140x3,140x3,140x3, 140x3, 140x3
Aside from spotting the woman that was benching 225x12's (that will make your dick shrivel), this was a much needed confidence booster after last night's incident. I felt like a fucking viking after this one.
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