For starters… if you haven’t heard, I’ve chosen to enlist in the United States Army. I am headed to Basic Combat Training on Januray 17th at Fort Benning (GA). Usually the reaction I get is “WOW” or “WTF”… I get it, I didn’t expect anyone to see this coming. But it’s not the specifics of my decision I want to focus on. It’s the act of standing up and making change. Big, small, correct, incorrect…doesn’t matter… stepping out of your comfort zone, believing in yourself, and pulling the trigger are what matter right now.
Over the past few weeks I’ve had several somewhat deep conversations with family and friends. I seem to go back to, well, over and over on three things. Capability, comfort, and timing. I fully admit I couldn’t explain why, but I guess subconsciously it says something and I figure it’s worth talking about. With any decision big or small there are any number of variables, and it’s those same variables that unfortunately I think ultimately are the demise of people taking action.
Too often people don’t feel they are capable of doing the “task at hand”. Whether it be a mix of low confidence, or giving someone who does do it too much credit. Being a fan of constant self assessment, is it really an impossible task? Have you tried? Are you willing to take a step back and truthfully determine if it’s achievable? And last but not least…how bad is the potential failure? Flipping try…if you do fail, so what…try again. Using the excuse “I can’t” before you have tried is something a child would do..stop it.
We also live in a country in which we are cursed/blessed with a crap ton of comfort. I don’t mean to say you have it easy, or don’t work for it…but we kind of aim to get caught up in an accepted routine and roll with it… The longer we do it, the more difficult it becomes to break out of it. Do you ever just assume/accept that tomorrow will be just like today? Even if today is freaking brilliant…who knows…brilliant plus one??? The “plus one” could be all kinds of stuff… you put on 2.5-pound plates during OH squats today for a PR, you woke up 15 mines early to spend time with your kid before work, you hit up Hy-Vee and prepared a good meal, you met a friend for a beer versus just going home, hell maybe you take a new job. In my mind…all of these you might of had to break out of your comfort zone, make a little change…and YAHTZEE!! Plus one…just try…see what happens. Don’t just settle in and push the repeat button on your iLife.
The old “I’ll do it later” trick…this one is a doozey. If you say you aren’t guilty, I say you are a liar. It’s easy, and can usually allow ourselves to even skip the prior two concepts I just threw at you. If you even get lucky if a comfortable excuse to tell others. “Oh I would have…just didn’t
have time.” Granted sometimes that is indeed true, but that’s life. What about when it isn’t? I’ll ask her tomorrow… and when tomorrow comes she will introduce her new boyfriend..unlucky sucka. I will train for the CrossFit games in couple months…new flash… the games start in a few months. I do realize I got a little help with my timing, had I waited much longer Uncle Sam would have changed the finger he was using, as I would have been to old. But I do feel my point stands…at some point in time it will become too late… don’t let that day come and pout.
In summary…as goofy as it sounds, I just truly believe in CrossFit-empowered people. I’ve just seen too much positive change and action to not. Even if you don’t CrossFit… it can be viewed as a simple catalyst….you are reading a CF blog and probably know someone who CrossFits, thus you are guilty by association.
Believe you are capable, jump out of your comfort zone, and do it…now…
Onward to new journeys…
MattyB
—-
Progenex
Yes! Another CFSF kid flying the coop to chase down a dream! Bring on the new adventures
Oh it’s already been broughten…lol, bring it indeed! thanks for the post.
Well-said brother!! Do your thing…do it well.
Thank you good Sir…consider it done.
Great post Matty! You will be missed be all at CFSF but I am so proud to see you changing it up and following a dream!
Thank you kindly…I will miss CFSF greatly and look forward to future visits.
* by all
Great correction Mary!!
Dreams in the making…goals will be achieved by a two year maximum…when it all happens i will let everybody know!!! Ive seen so many people pursue a dream that they have had over the past few years and i also decided it was time to stop holding back and just go for it because like you said whats the worst that will happen…you have to try again right!!! In two years or less my dream will come true!!!
Choo Choo… dream train coming at ya… I expect an update on my first visit back…get crackin’
As we spoke in person, it was great to see your confidence in decision and desire to serve. Change will serve you well as you serve us, and for that I am thankful.
I will remember the past year of mornings together and look forward to every time we catch up in the future. Since we can’t clone you and leave a duplicate in the gym… Onward…
Appreciate the post Greg, and of course being there for a chat…
Well said…thanks for the kick in the a**!
You are very welcome…feel free to kick back!!
We will miss you at the gym and will so miss your blogs. Love your blogs! I know that you will succeed in anything you set your mind to. Best of luck on your new journey!
Thanks… maybe I will try and blog from where ever I end up??? Thanks again.
Congratulations on your decision and GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Thank you very much!
Really proud (and fortunate) to know you, Matt. Thanks for everything.
Very kind Sir… if Progenex figures out how to bottle up your work ethic and overall positive attitude, they will become billionaires! It’s been a pleasure…
Thank you so much for all your coaching at the box. You are a wonderful coach. Thanks also for deciding to serve our country. We will miss you, but you will be great!!!!
THANK YOU for everything MattyB! You’re a great guy, a great coach, and a great friend. I’ll miss seeing you at Oly, and I thank you for all the tips, encouragement, and help you have provided me. Now go kick some tail for the country and come back and visit us whenever you can!!
You are very welcome TK, you are a model of what consistency will do for a person. And a ball of non stop positive energy to boot… I looking forward to throwing some weight around with you post tail kicking..
Thanks Matt for choosing to serve our country. Your a good man. I promise to keep working on my muscle ups and have them mastered by the time you return
thanks for your help.
Thank you very much, and I’m sure you will be doing muscle up back flip supremes upon my arrival back.
Matty B!
So proud of you…now go show THEM how it’s done!
Welcome to the 1% Matt. It’s a decision that you will NEVER regret!
I will definitely miss your humor at 5:30am! Good luck!
Very well said Matt! Good luck & congrats on getting out of your comfort zone. Will definitely miss your sarcasims at 5:30am!