Why We Sabotage Ourselves

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• The talent you want is the training you avoid. 
• The growth you want is the suffering you avoid.
• The wealth you want is the uncertainties you avoid. 
• The health you want is the lifestyle changes you avoid. — Orange Book, Twitter

I recently read that those who lack the courage to do will always find a philosophy — a perfectly reasonable story to first tell themselves and then the world, as to why they cannot do something. Talent falls mainly under that category. Once the average person discovers the amount of work and commitment expected of them to achieve a certain skill and broad understanding of their field, they are thoroughly discouraged.

Few will overcome this instinct and commit to the work, but even for them, it’s only a matter of time before they say goodbye and find a good story too. We’re then left with what you hear called “The 1%” — the champions, the masters, the greats. When you look deeper into their lives, you simply discover a long, arduous, and disciplined journey of consistency regardless of innumerable obstacles!

Yet, of all these avoided paths, I am interested in the lifestyle changes an average person will avoid, and yet are required, to achieve the health, or fitness they desire. Here, it's less about sheer willpower or consistency and more about self-knowledge and a clear life-map -- the “WHY” you desire health will get you through all those simple veggies over mouthfuls of junk, those bitter alternatives over sugar, that ‘unreasonable’ weekly exercise program which seems to go nowhere for months of hard work. Perhaps your WHY is to feel vibrant in old age, or more attractive to employers, etc. No matter -- so long as it gets you out of your mind and onto the road - it's good enough. 

I feel Orange Book has captured the essence of life in just four lines, and Charlie Munger, the great investor, would somehow agree:

"You will be most successful where you are most intensely interested.

Cancelo Alvarez

Further Reading:

The Unsung Hero

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