What are you willing to put up with?

We all want to be successful - to become a famous guitarist, the coolest YouTuber, the best swimmer, or even the strongest lifter.

It’s easy to imagine the outcome we want; we fantasise about it all day, playing our air guitars and picturing ourselves rocking out on stage to millions of imaginary people.

But the thing that’s more important is to ask is: What am I willing to put up with?

If you’re dreaming of becoming a guitarist like John Mayer, are you willing to show up everyday to practice, lugging around 20 kilos worth of guitar equipment to practice sessions? Practicing for hours a day by yourself, and gigging at events for next to nothing?

If you are willing to, then greatness awaits, my friend.

Micheal Phelps, arguably the best olympian who has ever lived, said this about the topic, and inspired me to write today’s blog:

“I went 5 straight years without missing a single day of workout. 365 days a year, every single day I was in the water.”

Micheal Phelps was willing to train everyday. He was willing to jump into a cold swimming pool for 5 years without missing a training session. He was willing to endure the gruelling 4 to 5 hours of intense training every morning and night (yes, he trained twice a day).

Not many people can say the same thing, and that’s why he was (and still probably is) the greatest swimmer of all time.

So what are you willing to put up with? The answer will give you the determination to carry on when times inevitably get though. Good luck.