“It’s all the same,” commented the Rat, “whatever he takes up, he gets tired of it, and starts on something fresh.”
Mr. Toad was not a strong finisher. It’s the strong finishers who succeed in life.
First introduced to him while reading The Wind In the Willows to my girls as a bedtime story, I rather bashfully identified with him.
Mr. Toad of Toad Hall was loveably exuberant, infectiously passionate about whatever recent interest sparked his enthusiasm. Sailing, rowing, house-boating, and then the infamous motor car…
He had mad enthusiasm. But it never lasted.
Could be the story of my life…
Whether it’s been mountaineering, triathlons, mountain biking, shooting, or whatever, like Mr. Toad, I dive in with irrepressible enthusiasm. The new eventually wears off, however. Something else comes along and grabs my attention. Here we go again…
Yet, it’s from only those interests that I’ve stuck with, those that I am determined to press on with and finish strong, that I’ve achieved anything that might be considered worthy – fatherhood and family, coaching and strength training, MidStrong.
We see this frequently in our line of work. Every January – resolutions, aspirations, plans, goals, wishes, hopes, dreams.
Today is February 1st.
How many of us started the year off fast and hard, like Mr. Toad, completely absorbed, totally committed, annoyingly enthusiastic? A new year, a new you. 2021 was going to be our year!
How many are still at it, pressing on, grinding away, digging deep for the discipline and determination to stick with it?
Sad fact – the overwhelming majority have already quit, didn’t even make it a month. It happens, but bums me out. Very few are strong finishers. Perhaps too many of us are too much like Mr. Toad?
In my next couple of posts, we’ll explore the mindset and makeup of strong finishers in more depth. Until then, if you’re amongst the legion who have already lost enthusiasm and momentum with your 2021 aspirations, no worries, today’s a new day, and new week, and a new month. We can always make a fresh start.
Here’s what I’d recommend… revisit what you wanted to accomplish. Then really revisit why. Take some time and dig in on this. Visualize what that outcome would look and feel like. Then begin again.
Our core purpose at MidStrong is to equip busy men and women in midlife to prioritize their fitness and nutrition so they can kick butt in life outside the gym.
You can do this. Don’t settle. Join us.
