Lesson #1:
And probably the most important: patience. I am notoriously impatient. The one thing I cannot do with my shoulder is rush it. Healing takes time. Getting stronger takes time. What it boils down to is your resolve and ability to recognize everything takes time. Sometime more time than you think.
Lesson #2:
Don't be afraid of shifting roles, inside and outside the gym. If you're sidelined with an injury and can't train or compete, and all you can do is be someone's support system or cheerleader, you need to be the best damned supporter and cheerleader you can be. If you suddenly have a job change or new role at work, you best embrace that change and your damned best at whatever it is you need to do.
Lesson #3:
No one will motivate or inspire you more than yourself. True motivation and desire to to do something lies within. You cannot rely on others or motivational quotes you see online for the inspiration to go do something. Now, I realize that maybe you'll have an off day and seeing or reading something may help give you an extra little push that day, and that's fine. I know that you will always see someone or something that does inspire you, but it's really up to you do something. You need to have the desire, will, want and drive to do it, to go get it.
Lesson #4:
Piggy back on lesson #3, "Then why the hell do you post so much about your shoulder?" Because my own struggles with simply having normal mobility in a poorly designed shoulder inspires me. I am happy to move pain free a majority of days, I am happy to be back to training. I use it as a reminder than I can and have the ability to do more than sometimes I think I can. I thought at the beginning of 2015 that I'd never be able to snatch again, but through hard work and patience, I can. So forgive me if I choose to share it with the world, but I am damned proud of how far my stupid shoulder has come! And hell, if it gives you that extra push to do something on your off day, that's great too! And, yes, I do look to others on my off days, so you never know who I'm looking at for my extra push that day, could be you...
Lesson #5:
No one will care as much about your successes and failures as you will. Don't let the failures eat you up, and don't let the successes inflate your ego too much. Ego and self-confidence are good things, but not when they're over the top.
Lesson #8:
I've tried my best to not complain as much. I try to post and think about more positive things, and I'll be damned if I wasn't happier throughout 2015 than I ever have been.
Lesson #7:
Just do you and be you, and all will be well.
Now that 2016 is here, there's only one way to go: upwards and onwards! Struggles and failures happen, but they shouldn't discourage you. Just remember everyday can't be a PR day. Let those days keep you humble, and also serve as encouragement for the next day.
