Workin' It

Bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, leaner, more skilled, more capable, more knowledgeable, more _________: we all desire growth in some capacity. When we look back and see that right now we are something more than we previously were, we feel good. When we've made gains, and then lose them it can be terribly discouraging. Given that we live in an information epoch, the most significant limiting factor in our personal development is often our own ability to focus effort in a desired field. Fortunately, this is an aspect of ourselves that we can actively address. Regardless of whatever specific area an individual would like to improve in him or herself, there is an underlying current in development; if it doesn't feel like work, it’s probably not working.

While they are related, there is a difference between pain and suffering. Furthermore the concept of work does not mean an activity is unenjoyable. Pain is the body’s physiological response to extreme, often harmful, conditions. Suffering is the mind’s reaction to that pain and is one reason different people have different pain tolerances. A compelling example of this distinction is the historic demonstration by the Vietnamese Monk, Thích Quang Dúc, who self-immolated (some viewers may find images here disturbing), in protest of religious oppression in June of 1963. Thích Quang Dúc undoubtedly experienced extreme pain in this demonstration, his face and body language communicate an experience of serenity as opposed to suffering. This radical example shows an important aspect of how powerful our constitution can truly be. Perhaps most importantly, there are times when our conscious mind can make the overt decision to face work or pain head-on, and it can even be healthy.

The importance of being able to endure pain without suffering is that growth can be uncomfortable. Indeed, any individual must be cautious because pain often signifies possible harm.  However growing pains take many forms and not all pain is bad. Awareness and experience help us to determine which pain catalyzes growth and which one leads to injury or other negative consequences. For those of us looking to actively develop ourselves in any capacity, it is important to remember that if it doesn’t feel like work, it’s probably not working.

Advertisements for easy or quick fixes to significant problems litter the internet and television. Is there a product I can hook to my abs to burn away the fat as I watch tv? Is there a pill that will make me stronger, faster, leaner, and smarter? Science brings us new wonders every year but these advertisements are far more likely to feed us the type of information that may inspires us to buy a product rather than paint an accurate picture of how that product might affect us. Certainly there are physical chemical reactions that underlie change of any kind, but research in athletics and learning sciences alike support that real advancement requires good old fashion work and overt effort.

Does your workout leave your muscles burning and your breath short? Did your ballet practice push your limits or could you easily perform all the acrobatics without much effort? Do you play music you’ve known for years or do you push yourself to learn a new piece that is currently just out of reach? How many mistakes were made while learning math, science, or writing as a student? Lasting growth requires overt and focused work on specific sub-skills. Development only occurs at the fringe of one’s present abilities. At the fringe, mistakes are made but mistakes are how pushing one’s limits take shape in reality. In his book Strength to Awaken, Robert McNamara, performance coach and professor of Psychology at Naropa University, explains some of the deeper implications of strength training. He describes training as a mental practice of expanding one’s ability to endure suffering, and in doing so expanding one’s sense of self and overall capabilities. He goes on to describe the changes one sees in the mirror as a reflection of the interior development a person is making through mindful effort. This concept goes beyond that of physical exercise and is true for any disciplined Practice whether it be physical, mental, or as is usually the case, a combination of the two.