Overcoming Adversity...and excelling

Each and every day we are face with adversity. Adversity is defined as "a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty". We are all faced with these situations on a regular basis. Sometimes we overcome them quickly and move on, but other times we are left in a state where we seem to have no answers for our difficult situations. Most people see adversity in the external world, outside of the gym. However, this external adversity can affect our training and overall success in the gym. We find ourselves not wanting to train or losing focus in the middle of a set or session. There are no easy answers for any difficult situation. I myself am currently in a difficult situation in my life. It has caused me to put my training goals aside and focus on the difficulties I'm faced with.

However, is this the correct method to approach my adversity? Many times it is our goals in the weight room or on the field that help us to overcome our problems. We feel hopeless because we lack control in our situation, but that is the complete opposite when we step into the weight room. In the gym, we have all the control and it is up to us to reach our goal for that training session. We have no control over what others do, but we have full control over what we decide to do.
You have 2 choices when walk into the weight room with an external situation weighing on your mind.

1) You can let that problem change your mentality and stand in the way of your goals. You can lift sub-maximal weight because you have no focus and drive. In that case, you would walk out of the weight room in the same position you walked in...weak and depressed.

2) You can turn the switch on. You can walk into the weight room with the mentality that you will tear every single weight apart and break every single lifting record in your training journal. You can see what you are really made of...what your mentality really is. If you are able to set any type of record (be it a new 1RM or rep record) while having an adverse issue weighing you down outside of the weight room, you are officially a superhero and you will feel like a superhero!

Personally, I know facing adversity is very difficult. It hits you when you least expect it and it affects every aspect of your life. What we all need to understand is that we will always be faced with difficult moments in our lives. Sadness is a very powerful thing and can make you feel weak and helpless. However, if we let adversity affect our goals every time we are faced with it, then we will never excel in any aspect of life. Sometimes you just need someone to tell you "Suck it up and move some iron"...here goes nothing...