Attitude is everything. No. Really. Attitude. Is. Everything.
Let me give you an example. Yesterday, I tore callouses off both my hands leaving that very first layer of skin open and exposed. OUCH! Today’s workout included toes to bar and I decided there was no way I was even going to come close to touching the bar today. However, when I found out the scale for toes to bar was weightedsuitcase sit-ups, my whole attitude changed. I was totally prepared for suitcase sit-ups but not weighted suitcase sit-ups. So, somewhere deep down in my illogical brain I decided it would be better to hang on the bar by my fingers and attempt single rep toes to bar rather than do weighted suitcase sit-ups (I’m brilliant, I know).
So, off I go doing my single rep toes to bar through pain with only my fingers on the bar and I completed the workout at RX+ when I never even intended to RX the workout. Attitude is everything. I got just ticked off enough to fight through pain and do what I never had any intention of doing. Attitude is Everything.
My Grandpa taught me this great piece of wisdom when I was in 3rd grade. He and Grandma came to visit during the school year and stayed a week with us. Grandparents being in town seemed like a great reason for me to skip school. So I suggested the idea and it was quickly shot down. But I was persistent so I suggested, cried, whined, complained and finally became angry when the answer was obviously “No.” On the way to school, amidst my all of my pathetic pouting, Grandpa turned around and said “You know Russell, attitude is everything. You can either choose to be angry and have a bad day or choose to change your attitude and have a good day. The choice is yours.” I didn’t like it at the time, but he was right. And those words still ring in my ears even today.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture says to consider it pure joy when you face trails. WHAT! Consider it pure joy when you face trials!?!? Yes, indeed. You see, anything becomes bearable when you have the right mindset. In the world of faith, I know a trial brings me closer to God and makes me more mature. In the arena of CrossFit, I know I am getting stronger and more fit when I face hard things like workouts I don’t like, movements I’m not good at, or have someone pushing me harder than I would rather go. And in the end it brings me closer to my goal, which gives me joy.
Attitude determines your altitude. Where do you wanna go? What do you want to do this next year? Who do you want to become? How will you approach today? Attitude is everything. So let’s have a great attitude and become great together!
