Learn Your Limits

I'm sure just writing that blog title makes certain segments of the "ManoVerse" wanna deride and belittle me for being a Soy Boy, a Pansy or some other kinda 12-Ply Soft schmuck. 

*Mimics some deep voiced, all-traps-no-neck-dude-bro* "You can't be a MAN unless you push through and break your limits! No Days Off, Bro!  We ain't got time to Bleed."

Or some shit like that.

Look. I'm not saying that it's a bad idea to push yourself. To test your limits and see just how far one can push themselves. In fact, if we as a people ever want to improve ourselves it's Essential that we push to our limits. See how far we can stretch and develop in order to grow, to evolve and to - hopefully - be better.

But as much as some jag-offs will live that "All Gas, No Brakes" mentality, the reality is that everybody hits a point where they have to just stop. Assess objectively where they're at and evaluate their next course of action.

Nobody can go at Mach 10 forever. Hell, that's why it's Mach 10. There's 9 other Machs' to hang around at before you lose cabin integrity, Maverick.

Sorry. Dorky.

The point is, on some level I think we're all guilty of doing this to ourselves. I see it in my family and friends all the time. Moreover, I see it in the fatigued blue-grey eyes of the 300lb goon who stares back at me in the mirror every time I need a shave. 

In spite of my best efforts to try and modify my efforts, limit my responsibilities and take more time for myself. The truth is, I suck at it. Sure, I'll have time to just power down on the couch, watch my Jets play hockey and chill. But that comes in fits and starts when my body and brain have been pushed as far as they can go doing everything I can to keep the lights on and my loved ones fed, happy and supported.

This isn't meant to be a "woe is me, blog" but merely a warning. To myself and others.

Learn Your Limits. We can't be everything to everyone else if we aren't able to protect ourselves. Physically, Mentally and Emotionally.

This applies to everything. 

There are so many things I want to do. Write this blog. Write my next novel. Record my podcast. Train and lean out in the gym. Get in the wrestling ring once a week to work on my craft and help the next generation. Be a good dad. Walk my dog. Help love and support my family. Be there for my girlfriend in a present and substantive way.

Jesus... that's a lot. And nothing in that paragraph lists any of the things that I HAVE to do just to be able to do those things.

The consolation I take in this moment as I write this on barely 4 hours of sleep is that I'm actually BETTER at recognizing my limits than I used to be.

Like some kind of a moron I was at the gym before going to wrestling training. Because I was feeling like my shoulders weren't growing and that I "Needed a lift to wake myself up." To my credit I got about 20 minutes in and realized that I was a complete fucking moron. Everything hurt, I was sweating less from effort and more from pure fatigue, and my mood was so sour that every person just existing in the weight pit was irritating the hell outta me.

So I left.

Old me? Fuck that noise, I'd be in that gym going twice as hard. Punishing myself for being "weak" and going until I had a headache or worse.

But by admitting that I was at the end of my rope, and acknowledging that I wasn't doing myself any favors - I was able to make a better decision and get gone.

The gym will be there tomorrow. Or the next day if I'm up for it. It's fine, Big Fella. 

Look... As much as I want to make a really clever or salient point here, the truth is that we all just need to be kinder to ourselves. To admit that we can't always be everything to everybody, that sometimes we can't even do that for ourselves.

And good grief, that's okay.

So when you're ready. When you're well rested and properly hydrated. When you've been fed. When you've spent time with your loved ones and recharged that personal mental and emotional battery.

When you've done that. Then go out and Learn Your Limits. Whether that's in the gym, in the ring, in pursuit of knowledge or business ... Go forth and learn.

Maybe by then you'll be ready to push them a bit further than you thought you could.

Be well. Take care of yourself. 

AK

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