Dichotomy

originally posted 4/13/21

I've been on a hot streak with my training. I just took my first two consecutive days off in months. I was upset when I told Hannah the news and she said, “Do you hear yourself right now?”

There are two perspectives I hold here. They are both true and they have a direct relationship with your ability to keep showing up and sticking with the habit of training.

The first being that I messed up. Something went awry that I should have anticipated and accounted for. If I were more disciplined, better with time management, or listened to my body, maybe I could have trained one of those days.

On the other hand, I know my body needs rest and recovery. It needs time off, a chance to recharge. Training is stressful and it’s thankful for the break. It was nice to get a little extra sleep on Sunday morning.

Both perspectives are true.

The internal battle of making the right choice keeps me in the game. That real goal should be to keep playing, to show back up when you don’t want to, or when your streak is over. Holding both perspectives at once helps me do that.

You can skip a workout because you're sore and be upset that you did, but also be thankful for the extra rest. It shouldn't be one or the other.

This isn't just about no days off, or about resting to take care of your body. It's about both. We need both perspectives to be productive and it's a dance on a fine line. Too much discipline and pushing, you'll burn out. Not enough time management and too much rest, you'll never hit your goals.

Justin Miner

@justinminergain