Do What Needs to Get Done Now

How badly do you want to build an outstanding physique? How hard are you willing to work to achieve it? Most important, what are you willing to sacrifice to earn the quality build you desire?

Many people want to have an extraordinary physique, but very few are willing to pay the price necessary to get it. How about you? Anything in life worth achieving comes with a price tag.

So what price are you willing to pay to achieve your bodybuilding goals? On a scale of 1 to 10—1 being extremely difficult, 10 being totally fulfilling—would you live the next year at a “level 1” to enjoy the following four years at a level 10? Or would you choose a more balanced approach and live all five years at 5 or 6 instead?

That question is more than hypothetical. When it comes to your bodybuilding and training efforts, are you doing all the things you know you need to do to reach your goals? Is anything holding you back?

Striving for a balanced life may be robbing you of becoming truly outstanding at what you want most in life—bodybuilding, career, family, personal relationships or anything that takes real effort. Many people dream of becoming outstanding at something they do in their lives. Maybe for you that’s building your physique.

Balance cannot be measured on a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly scale. You must measure it in longer time frames, such as five-year spans or even decades.

If you really want to earn a great physique, you may need to give up parties, eating out with friends or fun vacations for a period of time. You may need to invest your free time in reading books and magazines on training, nutrition and supplementation. You may need to spend less time with your friends or save your money for massive amounts of quality food or expensive supplements like protein powder for a few years.

Measuring anything takes time and energy. One major obstacle many people face when trying to achieve things in life is juggling too many activities at the same time. That can make becoming good at bodybuilding extremely difficult.

With the needs of our families, work or school and friends competing for our attention, deciding where to spend our time and energy is important. Instead of focusing on what we really want in life, we often dabble a little here and a little there. We don’t usually admit it but describe our actions as being “practical” or “reasonable.” We become “pretty good” at this and “okay” at that. We never become great at anything. The last thing you want to do is reflect on your life and say, “I was okay at this, pretty good at that and halfway decent at that other thing. Boy, I wish I had tried harder at bodybuilding. I could have been good.”

Keep in mind that even when you’re determined to become the best bodybuilder you can be, you may question whether you’re spending your time wisely. I don’t care how dedicated and goal oriented you are, sometimes you’ll question whether what you’re doing will actually pay off. Doubts like that will challenge your commitment from time to time. It’s totally understandable, but it’s important to stick to your plan.

Try not to focus on what you have to give up. Instead, focus on achievements and the specific feelings you’ll enjoy when you’ve achieved your goals. Always remind yourself of what you really want. Never settle for anything less than you’re truly capable of having in your life.

Just because you need to sacrifice some things now to achieve your goals doesn’t mean your efforts won’t lead to a balanced life you can be proud of when measured over time.

Train hard—and think big! You’re a Mass Machine Warrior!

Editor’s note: Skip La Cour is a six-time national champion bodybuilder, a success and leadership coach and the creator of the Mass Machine Bodybuilding and Training Program. Learn how you can become a Mass Machine Training warrior by visiting www.SkipLaCour.com. Sign up for the free weekly bodybuilding and training e-newsletter—and you’ll receive a free e-book.