This is something I rarely talk about, but why do you do what you do? Having a big enough “why” is the most important aspect of being able to stick to a goal long enough to attain it, especially when that goal might seem impossible. You will encounter daily struggles, temptations, and doubts about yourself and your ability. A big enough why will make you not care, because accomplishing what you set out to do means more than any of them obstacles. JJ Watt is a beast. What’s his why?
Family name. This is an excerpt from the E:60 feature done on him, which you should watch in whole. He also says he literally made a vow to himself that he would not fail. There were too many people that he could not let down. This drove him to work insanely hard. Getting up at 4 A.M is something most people would never consider doing. It’s too hard. Those are also the people who will sit and watch JJ Watt play football on the big screen from their couch and call him a freak. Maybe you could never be JJ Watt. But do you really know unless you get off the couch and do what he does?
All the time I hear from people wondering why I don’t go out more and enjoy the “college experience”. Of course I just laugh and say “yeah, maybe sometime” but that’s not a real answer. My why consists of two reasons. First, all those Thursday and Friday nights when all of the big parties are happening? My dad is out on the road, at work so I can have the opportunities I have. You really think I’m going to cave in to a little peer pressure and go party while the very person that is making my opportunity available is out working? Not a chance. You can bet your rear I’m going to be working too so that what he does might someday pay off. I cannot imagine having to tell him I was suspended or got caught doing something that would take away my opportunity that he has given me. So yeah, I’m not going out, quit asking. Second, I made a vow to myself to see how far I can get in the goal I have set for myself. That means putting absolutely everything into that goal. People always talk about regrets. Well quit talking and go do something so that you don’t have them. Figure it out and stop complaining. Want to get drafted? Great, everybody does. Either you can put in the work you feel comfortable doing, and hear a great “feel good” story when you don’t get drafted, or you can get yourself together and figure out a way to make it happen. That may mean cutting down your friends list. A social life, getting a college degree, and trying to accomplish something insanely difficult do not mix well. Two out of three maxes out your time, so if you are truly serious about your goals, forget about that social life. If you can’t, good luck.
I realize this wasn’t a hitting post, but I needed to rant about it somewhere, and hopefully there is a lesson or two everyone can take from it. Figure out your why, and go to work.