Limiting Beliefs . . . “I’m Weak-Willed”

 

I love this one. If ever there was a limiting belief that gave excuse to every poor choice, bad habit, or lack of action we’ve ever shown, this is it.

 

I mean, how the hell can you even argue it?

 

I know I shouldn’t, but I’m weak-willed.

 

Or . . .

 

I can’t help it; I’m just weak-willed.

 

You’ve already lost the battle without a shot fired.

 

But here’s the truth: it’s bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit. Using your “weak will” as an excuse is just about the lamest cop out I can think of. By proclaiming yourself weak-willed, you are essentially absolving yourself of responsibility for your actions.

 

Unfortunately, if this limiting belief has a strangle-hold on you, it’s just not feasible to view yourself in any other light. So I’m going to tell it to you straight . . .

 

There is no such fucking thing as being weak-willed.

 

It’s a myth. A myth many of us buy into. It’s comforting. It allows us to live a life of excuse. We never have to try that hard because we’re just weak-willed.

 

But if there is no such thing as being weak-willed, what’s really going on here?

 

Good question. What we are actually dealing with is a habit. A pesky habit. We’ve developed the habit of taking the easy way out. Nobody wants to hear that they are taking the easy way out, yet it’s true. It’s a hard truth, but truth nonetheless.

 

And it’s an extremely common habit, at that. It forms easily and is damn near impossible to break. It entrenches itself as part of our personality. We reinforce it every time we take the path of least resistance.

 

The ruts run deep here.

 

But now that we are aware of the real problem we are faced with, it becomes something we can battle. We can at last fire our opening shot.

 

It’s actually a simple fix, but far, far from easy.

 

The first thing you need to do is understand that humans are powerful. We have strength. You have strength. Deny it all you want, but it’s there. It’s a part of your makeup . . . your DNA. You are descended from a line of survivors that stretches back to the first life on earth.

 

Strength is in your blood.

 

Once you’ve accepted that your strength is inherent, you can then take the actions necessary to defeat this limiting belief.

 

This is where it gets hard.

 

Remember, you are not weak-willed; you have developed the habit of taking the easy way out . . . of taking the path of least resistance. The only way you’ll break this habit is by walking another path.

 

The hard path.

 

You must make the choice to actively seek challenge. Every day — large or small — you must make the hard choice. There is no other way. The habit of strength can only be formed through the pursuit of challenge. The longer you find yourself walking the hard path, the deeper the habit will form.

 

So find the things that frighten you. Seek the challenges that intimidate you. These are the stones that sharpen your will.

 

My first steps along the hard path began with a single spontaneous pull-up contest. A contest that started my quest for strength and fitness. This is relevant because training was my first means of making a hard choice. Results cannot be achieved by taking the easy way out. Time, effort and discipline are required. What I learned when I started lifting was truth . . . the truth that challenge was the reason.

 

I learned to train for the challenge of it.

 

I was fortunate in that training opened my eyes to the strength of my own will. It taught me that success comes from pushing yourself. It showed me that I never even had a weak will to begin with – I was just accustomed to taking the easy way out.

 

And I made the choice to stop.

 

So quit bullshitting yourself. You are not some weak-willed little pushover. You have strength. You have the power of choice.

 

Now use that power and smash your excuses into a million fucking pieces!

 

Cheers!