The person who sets a lofty goal is by far ahead of the game. Most people have no goals and are satisfied with mediocrity or less. Don’t get complacent. Just because you’re off to a good start doesn’t mean you’re going to finish. A lot of people set off to achieve big goals but can’t shake habits that keep them stuck in place like their feet are stuck in concrete. I see so many people with lofty goals and aspirations squandering their precious time sleeping, watching tv, playing video games, drinking and hanging out. Judging by your actions I would come to believe the goal you’re trying to achieve is sleeping, watching tv, playing videos games, drinking or hanging out. If that’s what you spend all your extra time doing then that is what you are working towards. Your actions don’t match your words. You say you’re a go getter, but really you can’t wait to go get in the bed. If this is how you operate, you are not on the path to reaching your goals.
I have found a trait I find most successful people have. Most successful people are gym rats. What do I mean by gym rats? People who have invested in resources that allow them to work towards their goals as much as possible. They invest in resources and put them to use as much as possible. The successful basketball player doesn’t just go to practice. He has a hoop in the backyard. He’s putting up shots in his spare time. He has weights in the basement. He’s working out everyday. This is in addition to when his team practices. Even in the offseason, he’s putting in work improving his game on his own. He takes responsibility for his development. He has invested in tools that allow him to improve on his own. He’s a gym rat.
The successful musician doesn’t just play at showtime. He doesn’t just practice with the band. He has invested in a home studio. He practices at home alone. He’s spending as much time as he can at his craft because he wants to. He reads about it. He researches new technologies that can make him better. He talks about his craft. His friends think he’s weird because he spends so much time working on music. He’s a gym rat.
The athlete that just shows up for practice doesn’t stand a chance against a gym rat. The musician that only plays at the gigs doesn’t stand a chance. The successful person is obsessed with his craft. There’s no other way to describe it. When you’re trying to figure out if you’re are truly on the path to success in your field, ask yourself what kind of person are you? Are you obsessed or do you just do enough to get by. Are you putting up extra shots everyday or do you only want to work at practice. The winner wants to work at his craft every second he can. Whether or not you have a chance to make it to the big stage will be determined by honestly answering one question. Are you a gym rat?
