Embrace the suck of purposeless training
In a world obsessed with goals, achievements, and milestones, it's easy to get caught up in the frenzy of constantly chasing the next big thing. From career ambitions to fitness goals, we're encouraged to set targets and work our asses off towards them. And while having goals is undoubtedly important, what happens once we reach the damn things? What happens when the finish line is crossed, and the victory is celebrated? Is that where our journey ends?
This is where the concept of training, preparing, and performing without a specific purpose comes into play. It's about embracing the fucking process, the journey, rather than fixating solely on the damn destination. It's about making our lives about the continuous pursuit of growth, rather than just reaching a predefined goal.
Sure, having goals is great. They give us direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. But once we achieve them, it's easy to feel lost, to wonder, "What now?" That's where purposeless pursuits come in. By focusing on doing shit that's hard, challenging, and uncomfortable, we ensure that our journey is never-ending. We become lifelong learners, continuously striving to improve and evolve.
Embracing the suck, as some would say, is crucial in this journey. It's about being present for the difficult moments, the struggles, the setbacks. Because it's in those moments of adversity that we truly fucking grow. It's in those moments that we learn what we're capable of, that we discover our resilience and strength.
For some, embracing the suck might mean delving into dark places in our past emotionally. It might mean confronting traumas, facing fears, and acknowledging vulnerabilities. It's a fucking painful process, one that requires courage and vulnerability. But it's also a necessary one. Because it's only by confronting our past that we can truly move forward. It's only by embracing the suck that we can prevent ourselves from ending up back there.
But it's not just about enduring the tough times; it's about embracing them wholeheartedly. It's about finding joy in the process, in the journey itself. Because it's the journey that shapes us, that molds us into the people we're meant to be.
Outcome goals have a stop. They have a finite endpoint, a moment where we can say, "I did it." But process goals? They're different. They're not about the destination; they're about the journey. They're about the daily habits, the small steps, the incremental progress. They're about becoming better versions of ourselves, one day at a fucking time.
Let's take the example of diets. Outcome diets, those focused solely on achieving a specific weight or body shape, often fail miserably in the long run. You may reach your target weight, but then what? You're left feeling empty, lost, and often end up reverting to old habits, gaining back the weight you worked so hard to lose. It's a vicious cycle that many of us have experienced firsthand.
On the other hand, process diets focus on establishing healthy eating habits, making sustainable lifestyle changes, and prioritizing overall well-being. Instead of fixating on a specific outcome, you commit to the journey of nourishing your body, fueling it with the right nutrients, and listening to its needs. It's a mindset shift from temporary fixes to long-term solutions. Stop eating shit, start working out and running. "I don't have time" Make time... We don't make time because it fucking sucks I get it. But so does catching your breath after one flight of stairs.
So, how do we embrace purposeless pursuits in our lives?
First and foremost, we need to shift our mindset. Instead of focusing solely on the end goal, we need to learn to appreciate the journey. We need to find fulfillment in the process, in the growth and learning that occur along the way.
BUT!!!! And I mean a big but....
When your life is a mess of chaos and pointless bullshit, trying to change your mindset or pick up new habits feels like trying to steer a ship through a hurricane without a compass. The constant barrage of noise and confusion leaves zero space for clarity or reflection, which are essential for any real personal growth. It's like trying to plant seeds in a tornado; any efforts toward self-improvement get blasted away by the whirlwind of chaos. Without a solid foundation and a clear path ahead, trying to make a change is just pissing in the wind, as the swirling vortex of pointless distractions drags you further from any hope of real transformation.
We have to take inventory on our lives before new habits can be formed. Be in the business of getting rid of shit, not not acquiring new shit.
If we have the latter squared up... we need to cultivate a willingness to embrace discomfort. Growth rarely happens within our comfort zones. It's when we push ourselves beyond our limits, when we embrace the suck, that we truly fucking grow. Can't run for 15 minutes? Run for 15 minutes.. do it. Try at least. Do 5 minute intervals with 2 min breaks. Who cares what you look like doing it!! It's for YOU
Finally, we need to practice presence. Being present for the journey means fully immersing ourselves in the experience, whether it's good, bad, or somewhere in between. It's about savouring the moments, both the highs and the lows, and appreciating the lessons they teach us.
While goals are important, they're not the be-all and end-all of our journey. By embracing purposeless pursuits, by focusing on the process rather than the outcome, we ensure that our lives are filled with continuous growth, learning, and fulfillment. So let's embrace the suck, let's be present for the journey, and let's make our lives about the pursuit of becoming the best versions of ourselves.
CP OUT
