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Download PDF: Push yourself beyond failure<\/a><\/p>\n This is my epiphany when working out:<\/p>\n \n Working out is only fun when you challenge your body to the limit, push yourself beyond<\/em> what you perceive are your limits, and in order to achieve more than you think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re capable of, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to have to push yourself so hard that (of course) you will fail in trying to reach a new pinnacle or peak.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n For example, my favorite lift is the deadlift<\/a>. From age 18 to age 28, I increased my \u00e2\u20ac\u0153one rep max\u00e2\u20ac\u009d from 135 pounds to 425 pounds. The basic workout was simple yet sinister (in the words of Pavel)\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I simply increased my \u00e2\u20ac\u01531 rep max\u00e2\u20ac\u009d attempt by 5 pounds every week. I only deadlifted once a week, with simple sets (5 reps, rest, 3 reps, rest, 2 reps, rest, 1 rep, rest, then 1 rep maximum attempt). After each rest, I would increase the weight by around 90 pounds (two 45 pound plates on each side of the barbell).<\/p>\n And of course, I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t increase my maximum deadlift by 5 pounds every week. Some weeks I would increase my 1 rep max by 5 pounds, other weeks I could only do the same weight as the week prior. And other weeks, I would actually lift less.<\/p>\n Yet, this was necessary \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because in the pursuit of increasing my 1 rep max, of course I would fail many weeks! But I learned a zen approach: not to feel upset. To just rest and recover, read more Seneca, listen to more Kanye West, then attempt the higher weight the next week. Because there were often factors I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control \u00e2\u20ac\u201dsome weeks I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sleep well and be tired, and other weeks I might just not be feeling as vigorous. Regardless, I learned to not take my 1 rep max failures personally in a negative way. I would just tell myself,<\/p>\n \n It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cool Eric, you gave it your all. Just rest, recover, and go harder next week!\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Lately I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been living in Saigon, and living in a hotel across the park. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been going every morning, and just doing body weight exercises \u00e2\u20ac\u201d chin-ups, pull-ups, dips, and planches.<\/p>\n With body weight exercises I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve actually been able to put on a lot of muscle mass the last month or so. And I think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been doing the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153training until failure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d intense styled training. The basic idea is this:<\/p>\n \n When I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m doing pull-ups, and my biceps and forearms are on fire, and I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think I can do any more \u00e2\u20ac\u201djust clench my fists tighter against the bar, flex my abs, and try to churn out 25% more repetitions than I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m physically capable of. I usually close my eyes, and imagine King Leonidas from the movie 300 shouting his Spartan battle cry.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n And I think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s those extra 3-5 pull-ups I churn out which really spark my hormone pathways, which stimulate my muscle growth and strength building.<\/p>\n Thus, I believe this concept of pushing yourself 25% more than what you think your limits are. Why? Because the thing is that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re usually much stronger than you think you are \u00e2\u20ac\u201dand when you think you cannot push yourself any harder, you actually can!<\/p>\n In other words,<\/p>\n \n Grit your teeth, and go \u00e2\u20ac\u0153super saiyan\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (watch any YouTube clip of Goku and Dragon Ball Z).\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been thinking that this is also a good way of life and entrepreneurship<\/a>, and also street photography. Once we hit what we perceive a brick wall, or a plateau \u00e2\u20ac\u201dwe can actually do MORE and ACHIEVE MORE than what we think we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re capable of. We just need to challenge ourselves more, and push ourselves harder \u00e2\u20ac\u201dto flex harder, and to attempt more \u00e2\u20ac\u201deven though attempting more you might fail!<\/p>\n The point isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t to fail \u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe point is to reach a new pinnacle, a new peak, a new level. But in attempting to level up, there are times you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to fail. This distinction is important because once again, failure isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the goal \u00e2\u20ac\u201dit\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s simply part of the process of becoming great, or greater than your past self.<\/p>\n This means in life, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t settle for mediocrity. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t settle for the status quo, or don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let the fear of failure hold you back. Attempt more unusual, strange or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153foolish\u00e2\u20ac\u009d ventures in your life \u00e2\u20ac\u201d even though you might fail!<\/p>\n And of course, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t set yourself up for failure. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t self-sabotage yourself, which often happens to some people who want to attempt great things, but are just a little afraid.<\/p>\n Attempt great things, take bigger risks, and remember \u00e2\u20ac\u201dif you got your soul on the line, it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter if you fail or succeed.<\/p>\n Heroes are venerated for their bravery, courage, and honor \u00e2\u20ac\u201d not whether they win the battle or not.<\/p>\n Life is a battle, and sometimes we will lose. But that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine. Just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become discouraged (losing courage). Put on your golden, adamantine stoic<\/a> armor, and let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go fearlessly into battle!<\/p>\n BE BRAZEN AND GO HARD! Zen of Eric ><\/a><\/p>\n Dictate your meaning and purpose in your life with ZEN OF ERIC<\/a>:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/F31A5E40-A840-45EA-ABC6-85736CD29C21-1500x993.jpeg?resize=1500%2C993\")
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\nERIC<\/p>\n
\nPhilosophy<\/h1>\n
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\nPhilosophy Articles<\/h2>\n
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Masters of Philosophy\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Personal Philosophy\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Stoicism\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Zen Philosophy \u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Life Lessons\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n