"Leave your ego off the door!"

by dennis the menace

You probably heard a lot about this already and it only makes actual sense when you finally discover it yourself.  Quite a few times, I’ve seen such people with such poor form and push weights like they’re undergoing a heart bypass surgery.  I couldn't help but just shake my head in disgust as I take a glimpse of man projected to failure.  A man that is driven by his own ego and have no other intention but to focus on impressing his own will of success or let's say failure.

I usually interrogate myself with these people having their ego go against their actual sense.  Is it just a lack of understanding of the sport or they’ve just developed a very high self-esteem?  I couldn’t imagine how many people would go fill up the bar with weights more than they can actually handle and be obsessed with this type of falsified driven mentality.  Also knowing that they’re just aggravating themselves for potential injury and having to deal with lack of muscle stimulation in the process.  They've made their own fame of success by lifting that bar half-assed and sure have made their ego proud of that moment of success.  But deep inside of you, are you really proud of what you have accomplished so far in terms of growth?  Do you think that, that kind of mentality will earn you success in accomplishing your goal whatever that may be?

As a matter of fact, whether we like it or not, our strength level usually fluctuates and never stays at a high level all the time.  We assume that we can lift the same amount of weight every time as we previously recorded in our own record book of feat.  Some people have high hopes and expectations for themselves, strength wise and they tend to feed that mentality every time they work out.  They assume that they can always lift two hundred pounds like a week or so ago without hesitation.  They are more obsessed on how much they can lift to impress people rather than to focus on proper muscle stimulation to grow.  This is a common trait and I can’t emphasize enough how many people rely on this weak lifting pattern.

 I have adhered to the mentality that I need to back off a little when it comes to this matter.  As much as I’m willing to show off and lift as heavy as I could, I have that mindset to not let my ego get in my way of things.  I’ve always believe that success is not always determined by stepping out of bound of your capacity but rather being persistent.  I would rather see my muscles develop with the right stimulation and stress rather than to give it something inapprehensive.  Having to imagine the possible injuries just makes me optimistic already about being aware of how I position myself while handling the weights.  Even if everything is in textbook execution, injury is still something that you are prone to and it usually comes when least expected.  No exemption!  This is something to think about especially when you’re an athlete on a high level or just a starter.  And when it comes to bodybuilding, there’s no doubt that the possibilities of being injured is always applicable and unpreventable in any case no matter how careful you are.

I’m fascinated by how many people don’t know how to turn off their ego when they have to.  They diligently don’t have the courage and what it takes to be in control of their own destiny to succeed.  Its mind boggling because these are usually the same people who don’t make progressive growth which can be frustrating at times.  Aside from not being nutritionally inclined, the least that they could do is to make an effort in changing their bad intellectual habit.  As I said, this is crucial in developing a steady flow of progress and this is the one of the actual cause of impaired and stagnant growth.

I’m not a pro yet but at least I have that mentality that I know will lead me a long way into being successful.  I feel that I'm in a comfort zone because of having that thought.  The thought of having that mentality excites me in a pure undying fashion and what it’s all about.  It’s about facing the game maturely as I could be without hesitation and resistance from failing.  Having the special ability to justify proper growth manipulation is just gratifying and a lot beneficial than being a stand-alone failure.  The failure of not having the proper desire for owns proper growth and finding a way to step into the next level.

 I read once in an article that people who leave their ego off the door are the ones who are gifted with better physiques.  I still think of that article up this day and it actually influences my way of thinking in every aspect of getting bigger.  There is no doubt that this is true and I firmly believed in that statement. 

There is no problem in having that fierce aggressive mentality and I don’t see a reason why you should slow down a tad bit.  It’s ok to push yourself to failure and become a beast in your world and desire for progressive increase of strength.  There’s no right or wrong because this the only way to an astonishing growth and to become a first-class athlete.  You will be astounded on the difference that this mentality should make to your physique.  You have to have that mentality and the drive to create a different barrier for yourself and the weights bestowed upon you.  The only thing that you should wisely consider is how to properly approach that mentality without ending up in a poor position.  Go big but you should be able to choose between aggravation or to become a diligent warrior.

 I truly have a lot of respect for people who knows how to carry themselves and control their own system of training.   I have a lot of respect for those people who don’t care if they’re lifting smaller weights but yet making tremendous progress.  Being able to lift in this fashion takes a lot of courage and determination because you truly believe what should be done instead of making your ego horrendously be in control of you.  It takes knowledge, courage and a right mindset to become a formidable bodybuilder.  Not everybody has it takes because not everybody is willing to change and be in control of what should be done right.  So next time you train, don't forget to leave your ego off that door.  Keep lifting hard and peace!