Welcome To The Community

Together, we’ll dive deep and find the strength to never give up because Great Things Take Time.

Ever looked back on your journaling and thought? “Wow, this is utter BS! I don’t mean any of this at all. Why am I journaling as if someone is going to be reading this one day?” Well, then this newsletter might be for you. It’s a candid conversation, so get ready.

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Here's what's in today's email

• The Truth About Your Progress

• Moments with Maurice

• What's Got Me Smilin'

The Truth About Your Progress

Great Things (and GTTT itself) are based on communication. Communication with others and communication with yourself. That second part might be the hardest because it can be so easy to lie to yourself if you want to hear something different. 

Open and honest conversation comes when you lay everything out. There isn’t an ulterior motive; it’s just about getting on the same page. The conversation is candid, but it comes from a loving and caring place; you each want to grow and 

So today, that’s the conversation we’re going to have. 

Last week, I mentioned in one of my classes that I was picking weights that would challenge me. Did that surprise you? To know I might be risking failure while many eyes were on me? 

Now it’s my turn to ask you: did you surprise YOURSELF with the weights you picked up? Or did you pick up the same poundage you always do? “Oh, it’s an overhead press, I know that 15s are for me.” 

If you’re wondering why the progress you want is coming at the speed you want, you just have to look at yourself in the mirror; it’s probably you.

Now I’m not trying to get on my high horse and make you feel bad, but I am going to push you to have an honest conversation with yourself. 

Feeling stuck is a common complaint I hear from people. Part of this is normal, when you first start anything, your learning curve and results are usually unparalleled. You see progress so quickly, and it keeps you motivated. Motivation is the gas in the tank fueling you for that first little bit. Your WHY is strong, and it makes everything seem easy. 

But then the “gains”, whether they be mental, physical, or emotional, start to slow down. Your motivation starts to wane, and you have to fall back on the habits you created at the start of your journey. Hopefully, these are good habits and can keep you going. 

For example, you rely on getting something done first thing in the morning so that you can ensure there is time for it as opposed to waiting until the end of the day when you’re tired and more likely to skip or forget. You’re setting yourself up for success.

The trouble comes when you expect to be keeping up with the same cadence of results, and to be completely honest, if you aren’t seeing the progress at the speed you want, it’s because you aren’t taking the necessary steps needed to move your progress forward. 

“But Adrian, I’m calling you out on some BS. Your whole concept is your Nana’s words: never give up because Great Things Take Time. Are you saying that’s a lie? Should things be done quickly?”

Nope, but nice try! What I’m saying is that you need to have an honest conversation with yourself about what your progress should look like, can look like, and what you can realistically give. We’re all about immediate gratification these days, and unfortunately, we lack the ability to understand realistic progress. (And sometimes hide it from ourselves if we’re journaling and not being honest about our responses)

If you are a busy person with limited hours in the day, it might not be feasible to spend five hours a day on something when you have other responsibilities and priorities you aren’t willing to sacrifice. AND THAT’S OKAY!! But you have to be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do! 

If you’re wondering why you pick up the same weights for every class but haven’t seen the progress you want, you need to get honest. Are you working out to check a box? To give you a mood boost of endorphins? Or to see progress?

What things can you prioritize to see the progress you want? Do you need more sleep? To drink more water? Cut out energy suckers? Eat foods that give you the energy you need? Cut out a workout? Increase/decrease your working hours? Adjust screen time?

You can’t put in a participation trophy-level effort and expect Olympic-level success. Sometimes the medal you thought you wanted comes from a different event altogether, and here’s what I mean:

For me personally, I know I’m not going to see the physical progress I want because I’m not allocating the time. Some weeks, other than coaching classes, I don’t work out for myself. Those 45 minutes on air are my only opportunity to choose the heavier weight. If I wanted to see progress, maybe I’d need to skip a car meet, and due to the joy that brings me, I’m not looking to do that right now. I’m not going to be the fastest or the strongest, but I am going to have Olympic-level joy. I can’t be upset with myself, because this is a schedule I’ve chosen.

At the end of the day, the rate of your progress is determined by the choices you make, the things you prioritize, and the HONEST conversations you have with yourself. It’s okay to not always be progressing; enjoy where you are! Don’t beat yourself up! But be honest with yourself about what it takes and what you’d need to do. Keep yourself honest and hold yourself accountable to meaningful and Great progress.

Moments with Maurice

If you only pause to reflect on your life for one moment today, do it now.

If you’ve been journaling along with me, take the time to pause on the reflection and write down your answer to the prompt. Even if it feels silly in the moment, looking back on what you’ve written down can be eye-opening when you start to see patterns form.

Because no matter what, there is always something to smile about.

The Downshift

The cars that make my heart race (all puns intended) fast from this past week. Rehab work on my car continues and this week I got to get my hands dirty helping out. I can’t tell you how great it was to be focused on a physical task for several hours and not need to pay attention to my phone. However, I was using a heat gun and may have burnt some of my fingers. Welp, there goes my career as a hand model. At least now I know 1/100th of the pain those who use curling irons experience… makes me glad to be bald!

Window Shopping

Dreaming of all the beautiful and beige things I can put in my home. I feel like I’m allowed to since one room is completely green!

Storytelling

Filming some content at lululemon 5th ave that will hopefully make you smile. On the other hand, what could I possibly be sharing in an abandoned warehouse? Dateline feature? Can’t say you didn’t know I was a bit off my rocker if you’ve taken my class 👿 

Remember:

-Adrian