The Alpha Man (Part III: Will Power)
One of the rarest qualities, will power is the most important tool in the arsenal of the Alpha Man.
Of course everyone possesses will power to some extent. Every action requires some sort of a will behind it. Nevertheless the quality about which I am going to write in this post represents something more formidable. It can be observed from the side in trying and difficult times only, when it is really put to the test. Someone said that champions are born in difficult times and I think that a more accurate way of saying the truth does not exist.
We all go through difficult moments. The best of us, though, realize that pain is mandatory and suffering is optional. In other words, while it is next to impossible to avoid pain (as a normal human being with its psyche intact), getting caught up in it and refusing to move on is suicide. Time, for all we know, is not on our side. Every day, hour and minute is precious. Showing will power is the key in avoiding this waste.
It is often that people get put off from doing what they must by much more trivial things. Sport is one of those things that require tremendous amounts of will shown in order to be successful at it. One reason for this is that the results that we want from it (better health, better looks and/or just for the sake of a simple competitive victory) are almost never instantaneous – a long time might pass before we can start to gather the first fruits of our efforts. Also they are never guaranteed – injury or another setback always lurks around the corner.
When I go jogging, I actually prefer not to be in perfect shape and/or mood. If the weather is bad (it is raining, cold etc.) – even better. I do this because I realize that will is like a muscle – it needs a stronger degree of exertion and stress applied to it in order to grow, and these additional factors are exactly that. And this is my message – the power of the will must be forced into existence by continuous and relentless effort and only then it will show its full brilliance.
My previous posts in the Alpha Man series:
