Dwell in the process

By Cristi Bartlett

For every rep gained or every rep missed you learn something. Sunday night, one may have slipped up and had 8 vodka drinks and the next day missed rep after rep on their praised deadlift. But a week later, one had 4 vodka drinks and absolutely smoked every single rep prescribed. What does one learn? One, vodka makes you strong and two, 8 drinks is too much, and well, 4 drinks is just right. It could be that one finds themselves failing at the top of their bench press for a few reps. Could it be that one may need to focus a little more on their lockout. There was a weakpoint and through and imperfect lift, one learned to make this weak point a strength. What about crushing 6 heavy singles with a focus on set up but then turning around and having 4 shitty reps without set up anywhere in thought. One learns that set up is crucial to the success to that lift.

My point is, without these experiences one cannot become a better lifter; For every experience had there is a wealth of knowledge to accompany it.

We all want to get to the end point. We all want to win the game. We all want the400lb bench press, the 500lb squat and the 600lb deadlift. But what about the 350lb bench, the 470squat, or the 510 deadlift, or better yet the next play in the game. It’s the process that allows one to get to the ultimate goal. So dwell in it. As I said before, for every missed rep and every rep gained, one learns something. There is a hellacious amount of growth to be found in imperfection. It is the process that makes us monsters. Itis the process that makes us better. Find joy where you are in the process