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YOU must take responsibility for YOU

on-teaching-responsibilityInspired by the prolific writing schedule of James Clear–who posts every Monday and every Thursday without fail–I just wanted to share an insight that’s been nagging at me for a while now.

I’ve been in the iron game long enough now to have seen just about everything. From bodybuilding in the Golden Era right up to the latest science-based protocols of today’s bodybuilders and athletes.

In the last couple of years, I’ve also managed to find myself a fantastic circle of trusted friends, advisors and industry leaders to guide me in my pursuit of bodybuilding, people like Adam Bornstein, Bryan Krahn, Sean Hyson, Jim Smith and Dave Dellanave to name but a few. And if that were not enough, the extended network around these individuals is rich in information — so much so, you can never really keep up.

However, I’ve learned that even these guys–experts in their field–don’t always agree on or follow the same approach to training and nutrition. Sure, they are largely aligned, sharing many of the same philosophies and underlying principles, but they all operate differently.

Why is that?

If they all largely agree on the same tenets of training and nutrition, why are they not following or recommending the same protocols on a week to week basis?

It’s because they take responsibility and hold themselves accountable. They are constantly learning, adapting, evolving. Not one of them takes something as written for granted, defaulting to personal experimentation and practical application before accepting or supporting a principle as fact. And you certainly won’t find them peddling protocols and approaches for which they have not had first-hand experience.

This has been critical for me in my own development.

We must take full responsibility for ourselves; our diet, nutrition and training. Our goals. Our context. Our abilities. Our genetics. Us. You. Me.

Does intermittent fasting work? For you? Maybe. Try it.

Does your body respond well to high-volume training? Possibly. Try it.

Should you be squatting? Perhaps? Can you? Again, try it and find out.

And this is not a one time process, it’s a life-long tenet.

You are responsible for you. 

The same is true with coaching. Yes, buy their expertise and insight. Have them hold you accountable. But don’t just accept everything at face value. Assuming you are putting in the appropriate effort for the requisite time, if you aren’t getting value out of a protocol, say something. Work with your trainer or coach to change it. Getting the most out of your coaching isn’t just doing, it’s learning everything you can. Be in the mindset of constant evaluation.

Like I say, this is something that plays on my mind.

I see far too many people just wanting to hand-over [or push] responsibility for their lack of progress to someone else.

That is not the path to success.

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