I think this is good. I’m kinda the same way. Setting definites seems to stress me out more than i need to be. Trending in the right direction is what i use as a gauge.
1 Like
The more you make, the more you want. I seem to always live near my means so always in the same boat but with just more stuff.
1 Like
I don’t really buy into the whole ‘learn to be satisfied with what you have’ mantra.
What happens to a lion when you tell him he can’t hunt? (not trying to compare myself to a lion… lions don’t even lift 
)
That is simply human nature.
How many times have I heard someone say they wanted to gain about 10lbs of muscle, and when they did, that they were satisfied?
1 Like
This is why I never put a real number out there. I just always wanted to get bigger… well, I did and still am.
I think you can have short term goals without having a definitive ending spot for your long term goals.
He definitely had goals - getting in shape, making more money, becoming a better person, etc.
2 Likes
Agree with others this is human nature. I’m not saying abandon you core motivation. Its good to be motivated until its to your detriment. Find a balance because what you briefly told us of your life sounds stressful as hell to me.
5 Likes
I think an important question to ask, is will more actually make your and your families life better / happier?
Sometimes more is an improvement, sometimes it isn’t, sometimes it makes things worse.
We can’t turn off our desire for more. I agree with others that it is human nature. We can remind ourselves though that the payoff in happiness when we get that new thing is short lived. That plenty of people that have tons of wealth are not happy. Plenty of jacked people are not happy.
4 Likes
I think an important delineation to make…
I am happy.
I am also dis-satisfied.
Though maybe not very common, the two can co-exist.
As far as bodybuilding alone goes, I had both of these.
2 Likes
Wasn’t there some study done that found that an annual income could continue increasing but the participants’ levels of happiness stopped increasing at the $70k mark?
1 Like
You seem to acknowledge that more won’t satisfy you.
If that is the case, why pursue more?
Improving sleep, and addressing the 2 hour commute would be the lowest hanging fruit for me if I was trying to be happier or more satisfied with life.
I agree with this.
I am guessing the number would be higher now (especially dependent on location). I have seen that a few times though. My conclusion is that excess wealth doesn’t do much for happiness. If you can cover all your needs stress free you’re doing pretty well.
More like 8.5 for me. I value sleep, and prioritize it.
I’m a Full Professor and Associate Provost. I work 40+ hours every week, but my commute is 15 minutes on a bike.
Not to brag (which means what comes next sounds like one), I have a PhD, postdoctoral research, have published over 50 papers, have 3 patents, and even have coauthored two papers with a Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry. I make $200K+, and want to make more but know I am about where I’ll be in my line of work.
Same. As long as I don’t watch videos of some of you lunatics on your Training Log. I train harder than anyone I know in real life.
Yep.
Not sure what this means. I do try to better myself, but realize I have room for much more growth.
Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. This might be an age thing. At 50, I feel like sometimes I should slow down and enjoy an easier life. I have tenure, so I could totally back off on research and administrative duties and cut my workload in half while making a similar salary. When I type that out, it seems crazy I don’t do it.
3 Likes
I know you are referring to harmful stress, but creative stress is necessary to push to higher asperations. I am a huge supporter of embracing creative stress. To be the best you can be.
3 Likes
More stuff and different logos.
I would suggest if you can live a truly debt free life though, it’s worth the initial hustle. Not just credit card debt but no mortgage, paying cash for cars et cetera.
The key is still finding the balance between getting more and being happy where you’re at, however. There’s always another neighborhood, a newer or customized car et cetera. You could net $2mil per year and still be swimming debt if you can’t find satisfaction.
2 Likes
I want more muscle. Should I stop pursuing it knowing that more will scratch the itch, but not fulfill satisfaction?
Agreed entirely. These 2 are first on the list of items I need to address. Sleep should be fixed after completion of the degree and commute should be fixed after the move (to a job in the new field).
2 Likes
I don’t take it as bragging, but even if it was - it is justified. Thank you for sharing your perspective and experience.
1 Like
Depends on a few things. I think you enjoy the process, so training isn’t costing you much effort or isn’t costing you effort that isn’t pleasurable.
I think most people come to the conclusion that at a certain point more muscle isn’t worth the trade-offs. Most here want more muscle (on T-Nation, so a given), but most are still natty. Even those of us who indulge in the sauce are not towards the end of spectrum of pursuing the most muscular physique possible (lots of gear, perfect nutrition, skipping social events to train, etc..). Most come to a balance they are happy with.
2 Likes
Great post.
I know I will hit a limit where the only way to make more progress (muscle) will require health sacrifices I’m unwilling to make… but I don’t know where that will be. I’m trusting that I will know when I get there.
Perhaps success in other areas for me is the same. Although, I can’t pass down my gainz to my family - but I CAN pass down my legacy and wealth… so that balance might be never. I genuinely won’t know unless/until I get there.
2 Likes
This is a very interesting topic, I am enjoying the discussion. It is interesting to read a tiny bit about why you do what you do. Your log is one I respect, but I have no idea how you keep this pace up.
No, you are not alone. I spent years getting caught in the “I’ll be happy when…” Mindset. When I make more money. When I look like I lift. When I finish school, etc.
I agree with what others have said, it is human nature to want more. We do not sit still well, and I think for the most part, this is a good thing.
I have lost enough people in my life to have a reminder of how short life is. This reminder helps me with balance.
At the risk of sounding a bit granola, (I kind of am) I view life and lifestyle decisions through the lens of my death bed. Typically, you regret the things you didn’t do.
If you were to look from your future self and reflect, would you regret not being fit?
Would you wish you had spent more time with your family?
Would you wish you had traveled more?
Your questions will vary, but phrasing questions to myself that way helps me choose where I spend my time, money, effort and not lose sleep over the things that ultimately don’t matter.
7 Likes