During a conversation I was having with a fitness trainer this morning, he shared an experience of one of his trainees. While thinking about it later I realized that what he shared is not limited to this trainee alone. There is a deeper pattern to what the trainee was experiencing. The pattern the trainee is experiencing is also very common amongst others although it might just be manifested in other areas of their life. Another important point is that the pattern is not only common but also significant and that fact inspired me to write about it and offer my perspective that might help. After reading this note, you may also notice a similar pattern either in yourself or somebody you know closely. So, if yes, share as you please.
So, let’s dig…
In the words of the trainee, what he expressed is ‘I am working so hard on my fitness on a consistent basis, but my agility, stamina & energy is not getting better whereas somebody I know who does not do so much workout, 15+ years elder and yet he has way more energy, better movement & stamina’.
On one hand, the trainee is disappointed with the outcome he is getting from his consistent workout and secondly, in comparison to another person seems, he seems to be way less energetic, not as agile despite putting lesser effort into work out.
If you notice, the core concern here is ‘inability to get the desired results despite working on it. In my experience, this concern is not common to this trainee alone. It is not common to the fitness domain. It is a significant concern that is noticeable in other areas of one’s life. For some, it could be manifesting in financial outcomes despite working diligently on it whereas for some others it could be that they are struggling to build their business or have relationships without getting desired results.
For this core concern, let me present to you two perspectives. One, how most people are approaching this challenge in hand, including this trainee, and how it is not yielding desired results. Subsequently, I will present to you another perspective to approach this challenge from which might be helpful.
Before I present to you the two perspectives, I invite you to look at this situation analogous to a water tank where the tank is being filled by water through an inlet tap at the top end of the tank & there is an outlet at the bottom from where the water is to be distributed for the desired purpose. In this example, tank = person, water level = energy level and taps are input and outcomes. Now, let us make this analogy a bit more realistic and practical to our pragmatic life. So, other than the main outlet from where the water is to be drawn, there are other cracks of different sizes along the length of the tank from where the water is also leaking. These cracks are analogous to all the potential areas or distractions from where our energy is leaking, and we are unable to get the desired results = flow from the outlet.
Keeping this analogy in mind, let’s look at how most people are trying to solve the core concern/challenge, ‘not getting desired outcome (output quantity of water) despite working on it (filling in the tank with required input quantity of water.
A common approach used by most people:
- People are asking a question ‘how can I get better at this?’ Which is great.
- They operate with the core belief that if they put in more effort (increase the flow at inlet) in this area the outcome (output0 in this specific area of their life would be more.
- In other words, their focus, like this trainee, only on the inlet and the outlet.
- They ignore the fact that there are other areas of their life (distractions) which also energy leaks. In other words, impact the output in this area.
- People often ignore the fact that we are one holistic being. In the example of the water tank, this common belief is treating each area of their life (fitness, relationship, business) in isolation and work on them.
Alternatively, let me present another approach which is a ‘holistic perspective’:
- Most people driven by the belief that life is short, so they want to experience a lot of things.
- Not only do they want to experience and do a lot of things, but they are also wanting to achieve mastery in multiple things.
- In pursuit of wanting to do several things their time, mind and energies are distributed in multiple domains. Some of these areas are not complementing each other. E.g.: Imagine you value fun on one side and to have fun you engage in frequent all-night-parties, smoke, drink and eat on one side and on the other side they want to be fit, have energy, stamina, and agility like a sportsman. These two are counter-productive but many of us engaged in these behaviours may be because of FOMO.
- These counter-productive behaviours are leaks in the tank. These are distractions which drain energy.
- Result of this situation is a feeling overwhelmed and with energies already distributed they are unable to devote focused efforts on many of these things.
- With reduced focus, you can only achieve reduced results.
- Mastery or proficiency in any area of life required consistent focused effort.
- In other words, you got to look at all the leaks in the tank and fix those to get desired outcome you are looking for.
The common approach is a ‘localized’ approach whereas people need to have a holistic look at the challenge.
I hope the perspective helps you to look at your water tank and identify the energy leaks that are keeping you from achieving your important goals.
Fix your leaks to enjoy the higher outcomes and live a more fulfilling life!
