One hundred and ten percent is BULLSHIT!! Where effort is concerned… it simply doesn’t exist. -Sean Patrick Flanery
The Ostrich gift of stupidity wasn’t given to humans.
Tell me this: when did people start making statements like “I gave it one hundred and TEN percent”? When did our collective math skills go to shit?? Well, I think it happened when people started mistaking a LITTLE bit of pain and fatigue with the TERMINAL level of fatigue that is a biological indicator that your body is about to shut down. It comes from a culture of raising children that have never TRULY known what hard work is, and consequently, have never truly SEEN what they are capable of… And knowing what you’re capable of is a VITAL part of going into any battle.
…After all, you never want to turn around in a fight, only to find that even YOU don’t have your own back.
People usually reflect on that one time in their life when they gave more of themselves toward something than they ever had before, and they will then compare all future efforts to that event as if that event were a 100% effort. They will compare every effort that they have in life to the time in their life when they remember giving the most. And then they will live their life on the bell-curve, making that memory of their strongest effort a 100% attempt.
That is, all people that were never really “pushed”.
This 110% garbage started when people started accepting a smaller amount of fatigue to indicate exhaustion, and then when they REALLY dug down deep and came up with something more… well that HAD to have been something in excess of their best because, well, surely they ALWAYS gave their best. Bullshit. 110% effort doesn’t exist… but “Hustle” does. And “hustle” is just the ability to call “bullshit” when your body tries to convince you that at 60% exhaustion & fatigue, you simply have nothing left.
Yep, “hustle” is just a lie detector for the human condition.
The ONLY place where a 110% effort is clearly visible.
When you initially adjust your stopping point, your body will try and give you an eloquent argument as to why you should throw in the towel early. Keep your head down and persevere. The more you do this, the easier it will be. Then it will seep into other areas of your life almost effortlessly. You will work longer. You will work harder. You will perform better at everything. You will receive bucket loads more than you ever dreamed. Over-performing will simply be a part of your culture… and it will affect absolutely everything in your life.
Remember: The REAL magic only ever happens on the extra mile (for a story about my first experience with “Hustle”, read my previous blog entitled “Winning IS everything”). As soon as you discover the existence of this “extra mile”, then you can shoot for it in every aspect of your life. And guess what?? …It’ll be there waiting.
IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT YOU CAN’T “LEARN” TO “HUSTLE”, YOU JUST HAVE TO WANT SOMETHING SO BAD THAT YOU REF– USE TO ACCEPT WHAT YOU WOULD RECEIVE IF YOU DIDN’T EMPLOY IT… AND “HUSTLE” JUST APPEARS. ONE OF THE INALTERABLE RULES OF THE UNIVERSE IS THAT THE AMOUNT OF SUCCESS THAT YOU HAVE IN ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING IN LIFE WILL NEVER BE EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO… BUT RATHER, THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU DO AFTER YOU’VE COMPLETED THE WORK THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. THIS IS WHAT DEFINES A WINNER. THIS… IS “HUSTLE”. …and yes, that goes for leaving work early as well (you know who I’m talking to).
One Hundred Percent
I can tell you exactly where success is located in every single field. It is mere inches past the point where every billboard in sight tells you to turn around, and that continuing on is futile. It’s right past the point where all of your logic tells you to quit. Right past the point where your body lies to you and tells you that you have nothing left. Just beyond the point where people are laughing at your nonsensical persistence. Mere millimeters beyond the museum where every oil painting is a glorious picture of impossibility. It’s right past that monolith called “ADVERSITY”. Yep, it’s on the EXTRA mile… in everything you do and want. And THIS, my friends… is where the tape is. It’s where the crowd is waiting.
Wherever you want to go in life, break that distance up into one hundred equal parts. Then, after you’ve passed the first ninety nine… consider yourself halfway there.
God bless, and SHINE!!!! …until tomorrow. -Sean Patrick Flanery
Test 3
I hustled my ass onto the elliptical. I wasn’t going to do it…then I opened my email. I just started back two weeks ago. I have been adding time everyday. I now am working up a sweat. I will call about more apartments tomorrow, get that going. I haven’t been reading these for awhile. I am glad I opened my email tonight. Does this count as hustle at all?
To quote a dear friend of mine, “110%? Who came up with this crap? A pint cannot hold a quart.If a pint holds a pint, it’s doing the best it can.” … and I agree with you both.
~MireilleM
What makes me sad today is everyone who considers themselves a winner is really a looser at heart. They saw an ending before the race was over because someone told them they win, when really the race is never over until the day you die. That’s why my dad always told me even when you think you have everything you want in life, want more. Never stop wanting more. I live by that it’s not always easy to remember because giving up seems so easy at times, but truth is I don’t want my son to be a person who gives up before he really tried, so I have to set the example and never give up myself. I don’t know if you ever read what I have to say or just don’t care and ignore it, so I tell myself you care enough to read it you just don’t reply and that’s okay. I just wanted to share a little piece of me with you. Thank you for being an inspiration in my life and something positive to always look at.
I read it all. …and thank you. -S
So I never respond to these because I’m a little chicken and am fine with admitting it. Fiction I can write all day but when it comes to my own thoughts… I’m usually pretty quiet. However I felt like this deserved me putting some words down. I’ve often thought about how people don’t TRY anymore and that when they do, they believe it was the most taxing thing they’ve ever done. What REALLY is a bummer is when you try and you put that extra hustle in and it still doesn’t pan out. I’ll admit, I’m not a person who’s active in sports or such. My passion is for writing and singing, but I’ve still worked very hard in my own niches.
Such as school. I consider school my job. I take it VERY seriously. I’m going into my junior year and I have high expectations placed on me. All my life, I’ve never received anything lower than an A and a 4.0 GPA because I WORK for it. I WANT to be valedictorian and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there. I’ve pulled all-nighters, written extra long essays, done all the extra credit, stayed after school to talk to the teachers, done all the homework. When it comes to school, I give that extra mile because I WANT to be a writer and I WANT to go to college and I’m going to get there.
So when people come to me and tell me that I’m “lucky because {I’m} so smart”, I tell them they’re wrong. Because I work for everything that I get in school because in the end, you only deserve in life what you’ve worked for.
I greatly enjoyed reading this. And even more so to have read it just before heading to the gym… I will go the extra mile this time! (And I did!) I work hard toward my goals and usually go that extra mile. I think… It’s hard to tell sometimes. There are times when I KNOW I’ve gone the extra mile. People have asked me why I didn’t quit/drop out, or basically teased me for being “crazy” (then shocked when it works out).
I once had a family member notice that I had lost weight (12 pounds, so far) and said, “You better stop girl, you’re melting away.” I said, “Well I have about 10 more pounds to go.” Her response was a dumbfounded, “Why??” I was equally dumbfounded. Why would I settle for the mediocre when I could EXCEL?
I guess what I’m trying to say is…it’s nice hearing that I’m not crazy. That this really IS how I’ll cross the finish line. I won’t feel bad or self-conscious when I ignore people straight up telling me to give it up and move on. No, just no. Anyway, good talk coach.
(By the way. The gym I’ve been going to recently, well, one of them… I’ve started to taking over it. I have my fitness certification and they didn’t have a trainer. So…soon, I’ll be running the place. No one else was! So I called, and called, and stopped in, and e-mailed… The desk is mine now. I’ve basically employed myself at their gym. Haha! Boom.)
So true yet again Sean! I was a very sick child all I ever heard is what i could not do. Till I was 12 and decided i would do everything I couldnt do. That when the doctors said youll die I laughed and said no I wont. They said no kids I have 3 they said dont push your self so I sweat harder, they said u could be in a wheelchair I said no thanks. When I became a young mother I was surrounded by “put him up for adoption” “have an abortion” you cant do it alone what if u get sick. And you know what I got sick and worked 2 jobs. These hands dont work all the time but my leg strength is great. Sure there are times when life is painful and my will wants to quit. But those are the signs I always say that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. If I want it I’ll get it. That meant leaving ppl I love to move to a good school district. That means raising my children to believe that cant is just another dirty word. I have been at deaths door step too many times. Pushing past the point of exhaustion. When Iam feeling bad I know that day I need to rearange furniture. Yep im dyslexic but I hate them saying I couldnt read so now Im so good I read classics to my children. My son has aspergers there is alot of cant do it. So weve learned to say what can we do. There is always a way, if u get mad enough at the weakness get mad and laugh in the face of those who eat their words. When my marriage fell apart and then God brought us back together ppl said No. My own mother laughed and said it wont work. But here we are stronger then most “happy ever after” couples. Its always in that extra mile!!! Luv u Sean!!
Sean, you certainly have a way with words and speaking the truth, as usual. Thank you for the reminder to keep pushing and to keep shining. Look forward to seeing you again in October! God Bless you, too!
Hi Sean,,This is something I was just thinking about today,, I am a mother of three boys:) I had a rough childhood,,so I have made sure my children had everything they ever wanted,,I hugged them every night and every day before they left and we always say I love you before leaving or hanging up the phone. They have never had chores or a job,,I only ask that do well in school. I became very worried that maybe I had made a mistake,,what would their work ethic be? How would they respond to the “real world”? They are great kids so I shouldn’t have worried,, here’s why… Four years ago when Jonathan was nineteen he came down with Viral Encephalitis…we think from a mosquito bite. He had a Seizure,,,was in a coma,,ICU for days… tracheotomy,,feed tube,,,no one could tell us if he would survive..when he slowly over days woke from it he had to learn to walk,talk,read,write,feed himself,,,use the bathroom etc. all over again. We had no way of knowing if he would ever fully recover. Though there is so much more to this story, he did recover and now four years later he is perfect. But I am commenting here because he had to give his everything to recover,,he was angry,,just mad,, this was very hard for me but I let him.. I let him be mad,,we all did,,we knew he needed to have the drive to get better and this was his way of giving all he had. He never stopped,, he never complained to anyone,,he was just mad. I know that because of this he recovered quicker and tried harder. His doctors and rehabilitation people would say “It’s ok,,give it time,,don’t push yourself” Jonathan had his own plans and kept pushing himself. I wondered if the day would come and he would just be to frustrated at how long everything took.. but he never did..never once.. he just kept pushing. It took a little over three years to get to a point for him to be alone and drive again…And his brothers,,,well the night Jonathan had the seizure we all left the house and for the next four months Justin Jordan and me never set foot back in our home. My husband went home to take care of things and our nieghbors took turns caring for our dogs and yard. Justin and Jordan would never leave the hospital. I told them they could. But they didn’t want to leave their brother. They helped in his recovery without being asked. They never complained,,ever. I would have understood if they had,,but they did not. They were15(Justin) and 11(Jordan) at the time. They were very helpful to me as well..they didn’t want to leave me alone at the hospital and when I would worry,,they were wise beyond their years…Today we are all very close and live our lives as if there may not be a tomorrow. Jonathan has continued his rehab by going to the gym every day and he is now a vegan. He is back in college. He is very strong. There is so much more to this story,, but reading your words made me think of Jonathan and how true they are…
Dear Sean!! amazing words as usual, this blog could not arrive in better time!! it’s so true what you say, it feels so much better when we can pass that line when we think there’s nothing left to give. Frecuently, when we see ourselves near that limit we’ve set previously we feel like it’s not possible to take another step, but if we push a little harder we can see there is still something else to give. I tend to self sabotage in many ways, when i sart to see the signs i try harder, i say to myself if i quit now i loose everything i’ve been fighting so hard to get. Thank you for this blog, cause today these signs were starting to show up, telling me you can’t, you won’t make it, now i know i just have to keep working a little longer and in any moment it will be done. Thank you for inspiring me everyday, God bless you
Every time I feel like giving up or letting go of the victory ribbon, I always look back on what I started out as, a girl who could barely breathe, let alone walk up stairs without breathing heavily. A girl who couldn’t wear sexy clothing or feel confident enough to go out and let people see her. I used to have my head shoved up my ass, comforting myself with excuses that would then lead to another cookie or an extra cheeseburger…but now..I’ve begun to taste my victory, although I still have a long way to go, I feel better, healthier, wiser and stronger, both mentally and physically. Now I’ve begun to wipe the bullshit off my nose and carry on the right way. I have my ups and downs, my struggles, but everyone does. I plan to one day soon, pull myself across the finish line and have everyone there waiting my arrival, I hope to have finally found the me, buried deep inside. I know I can do this, I know I can succeed, cause ANYTHING is better than waking up and knowing that you’re slowly killing yourself with every bad choice you make. Every day is a chance to make it better and start again. “With every dark night, there will be a brighter day, in my case, a sunny day.” 🙂 I’ll make it soon. 🙂 *kicks life in balls*
Thanks for this one Sean.
This blog reminds me to try to continue and strive. I met you in Calgary Canada at Expo ( You signed my cane). I know exactly what I must have looked like. I was all sweaty and trembling and nervous as I approached you. This being because I struggle with Agoraphobia and to be around that many people really shakes me. Still, I wanted to make sure I met you. You were a wonderful soul, trying to calm me after I explained.
To me the extra mile etc is trying to do more whenever I can. That Expo was a perfect example. It was the largest place with the most people, for probably the longest time I had been out away from my sanctuary. I know many may read this and roll their eyes but it was very hard for me to go there. Afterwards when I made it home on the public transportation ( Another yikes!) I felt wonderful about myself. Yes I dare say I was proud of myself. PLUS I got to meet you, even though I forgot to get a picture autographed for my movie wall. lol
Your blogs are fun, informative and from the heart. Many blessings Sir, you’re in my prayers.
I see this as pertaining to both physical and mental challenges. I know I have said to myself during extremely stressful times “I don’t think I can take any more!” But you know what? I always had more to give. As for the physical challenges I’m facing trying to improve my health…I try to push myself harder than I have before, and I think I’m doing well thanks in part to you, my family, friends, and last but not least – my inner voice. If I mentally think I can do it, that’s half the battle. Right? Thank you for another wonderful blog. Love, light, and big hugs to you Sean. ~Tangi (@TangiNorris on twitter)
Thank you so much for posting this. I am one of those that likes to stop even though I know I’ve got more to give. From now on..no more… I am worth giving my all . Thank you, love you, and SHINE!!!
And when you’ve made it to that tape…there’s another 100 equal parts to go for the next stage! I don’t know what percentage I give to everything I do in this life. I don’t want to know the number. I see my progress in my children, in my ability to care for them. I know I’m doing well when they have a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, and clothes on their backs. Everything else is icing on the cake. I have taken off at the sound of the starting gun, run my ass off, working and struggling to make it to the tape, only to find myself back at that starting line again and again. Will I continue to fight my way to the end? You bet your ass I will! I have children who depend on me to show them how to not give up. But if you wouldn’t mind….I could use a new pair of running shoes, please!!
It´s not the problem to fall down, you only had to stand up and do it from the beginning…. again and again and again…. to learn from mistakes is a very good way, but the clue is… you must admit that it was a mistake…. I often fell down and more than that i stood up….. put the waste away and tryed to do my best… not 110%…. no…. my best….. somtimes my best was not enough… but…. isn´t it that you have to work on yourselfe every day? I´will never make the mistakes that i did anymore, but i´m glad i did them, so i learned from them and could do it in a better way… but the question is… what is the better way…. is it better for me… for my sorroundings?? I think if you judge yourselfe to hard, you will get depressive, cause nothing is god enough… so you had to find a way to make yourselfe glad…. a way you can life with. If you make yourselfe happy, no matter in witch way, you also make your surroundings happy and life goes much easier, and the things you do too 🙂 I hope you understood my words cause my english is not 110% 😛 sending you all my energie my beloved thoughts and much more light to shine on…. god bless you 🙂 greetings from austria yours barbee <3
Once again you’ve made me ask myself who I am right now and think about who I want to be. Great post.
Profound, but simply so.
thanks brother. Impeccable timing.
“Hustle, and fortune may bless you…
Quit, and defeat is sure…
For there is no chance
Of deliverance…
For the man who can’t endure…” ~ Anon
Thanks, I needed that. Truly, today of all days.
I have been such a whiner lately, it’s been
wicked. Your words were very inspirational.
I like how you don’t pull any punches!
Thank you again.
Thank you for writing and sharing this. I agree. Life is a series of challenges and obstacles that we can not satisfy ourselves with merely conquering one and claiming victory. There will always be another and another and we do have to push past all of that, get past our negative self-talk, sometimes remove emotion from the equation and just do the work to achieve success. I think that our ancestors would be disappointed in us. We are a culture of wimps. To think about all they have sacrificed and how hard they worked, the hardships they endured, helps me to keep my own challenges in perspective and causes me to find the inner strength to push and say, ” I CAN do this”. Thanks, Sean.
Thanks Sean for this post! I agree 🙂 its ironic because yesterday before you posted I was contemplating where I am and how hard I’ve worked and when I look at the whole picture I have so much more. Thanks for the motivation to move forward 🙂 You Rock!!!! Love the Blog!
I’m so glad you brought this topic up, because it certainly is one that has affected me recently. Sometimes, I get so frustrated when I have to do not only my own job, but also the tasks of my other coworkers. It’s selfish, I know, because we’re all supposed to work together as a team, but I feel often like I’m performing “above and beyond” the call of duty, the “110%” as you might say. However much my back hurts or my feet ache at the end of my twelve-hour shift, I know I’m not going to be able to sleep with my guilty conscience if I know I could’ve just pushed a little harder or “hustled” to help that last patient that came through the door. Nothing causes insomnia more than that nagging little voice in my head of “should’ve…could’ve…would’ve…” So, I appreciate you, Sean, for bringing this up. You’re always cheering us all on to do better, try harder, and give it our all every day.
Thank you, Sean! I totally agree with you!
Great Blog Sean 🙂 Someone asked you the other day in a tweet-What’s your number one rule in. life? You said, “Under promise & over deliver… in everything.” So there is always more we can do to reach our goals & dreams. Thank for Reminders & Inspiration in “Living Life” 🙂 It is Truly Appreciated. This Quote I Love:
“Life is a journey, not a destination.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Yes to SHINE..until tomorrow. Terri 🙂
I loved this post, I also hate it when someone rates something a 11 out of 10. Like, really? But I have a question for you. How do you teach this mindset to kids?
I agree with all you have here. I am guilty of saying 110% in a jokingly way.
However I have a question. I know someone who works non stop. He is a go getter , a doer and amazes me with achieving every goal he sets for himself.
I’ve seen him fall asleep standing up as well as soon as he sits.
And that working longer and working harder is having an affect which is good and bad. Not sure how to get out what I am trying to ask ……
There’s got to be a point where one listens to their body, somewhere between bullshit and that halfway mark, right?
Cause this guys constant gogogo is running havoc on his body and mind and family.
I’m worried about him. I know what he does is out of necessity as well as it makes him feel good about himself.
I’m not sure if what I typed here even made sense..
Anyway thank you Sean for your insightful blog. Makes me think and see things in a different way.
Hello Sir. I just want to thank you for the inspiring words. I’m a mother of 3 (5,3,1yr) and who husband has been deployed since last Sept. Like a crazy woman I decided to add more to my plate by signing up to do my first half marathon in December. Lately I have been lying to myself saying “I did what I could” or “I just don’t have the time” when it came to my training. Right after reading your blog yesterday I got of my butt and did a 6 miles run and did another today. Your words reminded me of why I signed up for the marathon in the first place and that is to show my kids that you can do anything you set mind to and to complete what you set out to do.Yesterday was the first time I’ve read any of your blogs but I look forward to reading more. Enjoy everything you do. Thanks again. Be Blessed
100% or 110% just means doing YOUR PERSONAL best. Not someone else’s best, but your best. If you never ran long distance a day in your life and you started out jogging the length of a football field for a week or so, until your body was comfortable and could handle that much activity. Then, yes, you DID perform 100% or 110%. That’s more than you have ever done. That’s winning, that’s succeeding and that’s something to be proud of. Once your speed picks up and your body is capable of enduring more, then you end up running back down the football field where you started. That’s another 100% or 110%. That IS your personal best. What you do at the moment IS your personal best for that moment. You can’t think about the future because the future isn’t even here yet. You never know what will happen tomorrow or the next day. But you can do what YOU can for the current moment.
You have no business to judge and tell others what their best is, because it isn’t yours. You can’t assume whether the effort someone put is actually complete or not, because you don’t even know where they started.
And when a doctor tells you to take it easy, pace yourself, rest, don’t overdo it, or slow down. They aren’t tell you to stop forever. They are telling to not go so fast because the human body repairs itself slowly and needs time to do its job correctly. You can easily damage an already broken body and ruin any work it has done to repair itself because you became to arrogant and over zealous. Your body might even have to adjust to extreme changes, which might cause you to do things very differently. The human body knows WAY more than we do and we should do a much better job at listening to it, instead of getting cocky and thinking we’re superhuman and invincible. That’s how people end up with lifelong injuries when they’re much older.
Oh, stop it. Even your effort to add absurdity to this comment didn’t exceed 100%.
You tell it to him. How dare he come on YOUR blog and comment like that. You have inspired myself and many others. I credit you with saving my life and I told you that at Fandomfest. Before I started reading your blog and following you on Twitter I didn’t realize all the shit I actually put into my body. Because of you I was able to step back and evaluate myself and my priorities and realize I didn’t want to be obese and unhealthy the rest of my life, that yes, I deserve better. I have currently list 36.6 ponds and still going strong. Thank you and God bless you. Maybe this dude needs to try and shine a little brighter.
I thought Anonymous made valid points. I hope you’re not the kind of person who can’t listen to another person’s thoughts without getting all offended and dismissive. Tell me you’re not like that!
I’m sorry, but there’s no such thing as a 110% effort. …there never will be. Key word: effort.
I’m just curious…if Anonymous believes in his/her own opinion so much then why comment anonymously? I don’t think you (Sean) are upset by different opinions as long as they’re made respectfully.
I will ALWAYS welcome different opinions, whether respectful or not… I won’t, however, welcome different FACTS. There is, nor will there ever be such a thing as a 110% effort. And this only requires a 50% effort in 1st grade math to understand.
I agree.
Agree or disagree with opinions….no problem, c’est la vie, as it is the nature of the beast that is being human to always have one’s own opinion about every topic….we are egotistical creatures in that way. However, it always makes me laugh when people want to argue against LOGIC, and even more so, against MATHEMATICS. Two realms which deal in nothing but FACT. Maybe that is those individuals’ “hustle”….tirelessly beating one’s head against the wall, never conceding that FACTS will out, and human will never win the battle of changing them.
Good show, Mr. Flanery. Have not been on here before, but I’m no stranger to your musings. Like-minded souls should take heart, and always know that there is much to be learned from one another, as there is much to be learned in everything. Much appreciated.
Hi Sean,
Thanks! Inspiring. Off topic, I lived in Lake Charles for 15 years. I have many family members who still live there.
Sean, This post could not have come at a better time. I have been struggling with my weight my entire life and after reading your blog I finally took control of my life and started pushing myself towards a healthy me. I have done pretty well so far I started out at 232lbs in January and am now 162lb, a total of 70 pounds lost. I still have a minimum of 12 lbs before I am considered “healthy” for my height. I had set a goal to be 150 by the end of July. when I didn’t make my goal, I knew it was no ones fault but my own and tried to find some way to loose the weight. Unfortunately, I went about it the wrong way. I started eating less and convinced myself that I would be alright as long as I was eating something. I was consuming a total of 700 calories a day. I ended up becoming malnourished and sick. I didn’t have enough vitamins in my body to fight off a simple cold. My trainer made me stop going to the gym until I was healthy again. It ended up being almost a week. As soon as I felt better and had my eating habits back under control I started hitting the gym everyday again. However, I just didn’t have the motivation to push myself like i had before. I don’t know what was up with me but I just felt like I couldn’t do it. After reading this post, I told myself I would not make any more excuses. I am going to hit the gym and kill everyone of my workouts, no holding back. I’m going to push myself as hard as I can and when I feel like I can’t run one more lap, or do one more press, I will force myself to do just that one more. I know I can reach my goal and become a healthy me. So, thank you Sean for everything. You have changed my life in so many ways. I wish there was someway I could repay you. You’ve given me the strength and courage i need to turn my couch potato butt into a gym loving skinny butt! THANK YOU!!!
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
-Abraham Lincoln
Just one of my favorite quotes by someone I admire, just like you. I never even understood the 110% thing…I’ve heard it my entire life and have said it at times (mostly in jest, somewhat in just being dorky) but I really do enjoy what you have to say and maybe more it is the way you say it. I I am 43, have completely wrecked knees, and gained a disturbing amount of weight after FINALLY quitting smoking over a year ago (after a number of failed attempts from the day I started), and now I am fatter and out of shape more than you can imagine. I am not naturally athletic (even though my Grandpa, who was the equivalent to me that your Grandaddy was to you, was a star player on the Vanderbilt basketball team during the 1930’s- which he never mentioned when he was alive- and I was last picked for PE in 9th grade, which I allowed to define me as far as sports/exercise were concerned). So to remedy my boredom, loneliness and girly teenager pain and shame, I started smoking (my new “friend”) while my old friends were at track or cheerleading practice, and now 28 years later…do you have any idea of a martial art to start for a broke-knee, out-of-shape-beyond-recogition gal like me? I live in the southeast, so I’m not close to one of your places, but there are places around here. I do not need to adjust my stopping point, when I haven’t started moving in the first place. I don’t need a new pair of shoes, I just need a starting point and a new pair of balls. Thank you for your time and your posts! They really are appreciated.
It’s been three months since I stopped going to my BJJ classes, three months since I stopped reading Shine Until Tomorrow, and three months since I started thinking about dying. One month ago, I walked out of the psych ward after a weekend stay and started finally trying to piece my life back together.
Basically, I hit a big road block in my life and lost sight of everything that was important. Forget about 110%, I couldn’t even get myself to give 20%. And trust me, I’m ashamed of that. Right now, the thought of going back on the mat scares me more than anything. I don’t want to go back and look at all the people who have been there the last three months, bettering themselves and giving their all. And I sure as hell don’t want them looking at me, wondering where I’ve been and where my effort went.
BJJ has become more than just a martial art for me. When I’m training I feel better than I ever have before, and I know that I’m actually doing something with my life that I can be proud of. I feel cool, I feel like badass. And when I go to bed at night, I feel like I’ve actually earned the tired feeling in my bones.
Coming back to this site today and listening to the words of wisdom from the great Sean Flanery is probably exactly what I needed. On the 26th of August I am going back to my BJJ academy. (One must wait until one’s paycheck comes in, unfortunately, or it would be next week.) I don’t know if I’ll get on the mat that day, but I can at least take the first step and figure out the rest from there. I feel I can trust Sean and his Shine On crew to keep me honest.
Thanks for everything, Sean. It’s insane how much you’ve helped.
Great blog & pics. I agree with you 110%..just kidding. I did do well in math but admit not so good in life. Thanks for always telling it like it is but always with heart xo
Great blog & pics. I agree with you 110%..just kidding. I did do well in math just not so well in life. Thanks for always telling it like it is & always with heart xo
Beautiful and inspiring as always Sean!
My husband and I recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. There are several couples we know who were married after, or before us, that sadly have already divorced. Someone asked me what the secret to 10 happy years was. Besides being a bit shocked that 10 years was considered a milestone these days; their second statement was what really got my knickers bunched: “I guess you guys really give 50-50, right?”
Um no. We both give 100%. If we only gave 50% – then we are only giving half our effort to our marriage. And yes, pretty sure we would not have seen 10 years in that case. It takes work, forgiveness, understanding, patience, tolerance, laughter, fighting fair…every day. And every day you wake up and make the decision to keep giving 100%. Especially on the days you really don’t feel like it — those are the days where you dig deep and discover that when something is really worth it; when you’ve got something worth holding on to: yes you can go the distance. And further.
As for hard work and hustle, well, I grew up on a farm. And if you have ever had to clean out a calf pen in the dead of a freezing Canadian January winter morn; or, spent a blistering hot August in the hay field: you learn very quickly exactly what your body can endure. That you can indeed go past the point of exhaustion and just “Get ‘er done.”
Oh, and my super power is that I can grow people. 3 in fact. Believe me, a stay at home mom knows what “hustle” is — even if I rarely do see the inside of a gym. It’s hard work growing futures. My kids push me every day to be better — just as I try to teach them. It’s the hardest work, and the greatest blessing.
Loved this!! :-). I would love to have my students to read this (I teach freshmen). They need to learn the truth about hustling. Lol
A vigorous or determined attempt. (Effort)
100% is not what you humanly possible can do, humans has too many flaws, we are born weak. We have lowered our standards, thinking we can give more than 100%, not just in exercise but in life.
Imagine Yale, Harvard or Oxford. How many student get 100% in all their classes? I have not done any research, but I assume not even one. Even the smartest students needs to strive to something better, you will never reach your full potential If you think you have reached it, then you have stopped striving and you’re moving backwards. That is quality. Too many people think, “This is me” “I have arrived”. You need to work harder today than you did yesterday, everyday.
The man saying he has given 110% has never even given 80%. Saying 110% is an excuse when you have failed to make you feel better and expecting remorse from the people around you. If you really give everything you have, emotionally and physically then you will win. This is why we can’t win every time.
100% is not reachable, it is the strive to reach 100% that will make you great.
Being like Jesus is not reachable, but striving to be like Him will make us reach Heaven.
Wow. Nail-head. That’s you hitting it Sean. I am the QUEEN of justification. Well, I refuse to justify anymore. Signed up at a gym a few months ago (badly need to lose about 60lbs), but I’ve been really wishy-washy about it. Always have an excuse, like a very badly sprained ankle (thanks tequila), but when it comes down to it, that’s still what it is. Since I read this, I have been going 5 days a week and have upped my cardio time and all my weights. Oh, and I quit smoking four days ago. Yeah it’s hard, but when I think about doing a lighter workout, or buying a pack so i can “just have one” (yeah right), I get this mental image of the look on your face and hear you in my head say “Bullshit”. Oh, and I’m taking my 12 y/o daughter to observe a BJJ class tonight. (I used to do it years ago when I was a teenager). Hopefully I can get her interested and we can do it together! Amazing how somebody I’ve never even met can motivate me so much! Would appreciate a shout out for encouragement!
This post came at a perfect time for me. I get so self-absorbed that I fear trying or giving any effort at all. It’s sad. You remind me to stop being a pussy and keep going. I tend to look ahead at my challenges and focus on persevering when I read your posts, instead of retreating inside msyelf and struggling internally. I know the things I need to do, but I spend time wrestling with laziness and fear. This post has reminded me to JUST DO WHAT I KNOW TO DO! And push myself to places I don’t even know I can go! Thank you so much, Sean. By the way, you helped me break a nasty habit of roleplaying a while back. Thanks. 🙂
I find all your post’s touching and thoughtful and that you put alot into every blog my favorite phrase for today is this :
Wherever you want to go in life, break that distance up into one hundred equal parts. Then, after you’ve passed the first ninety nine… consider yourself halfway there.
well said and thank you again for a good post
You are by far one of the most amazing people. Thank you so much for the inspiration. Would love if you could follow me on twitter I’m very new to it but you are one of the first people I followed 🙂 I’m @RainandClare it would be awesome if you do… Much love Sean 🙂
I’m a doof lol I’m under Clarisa love @RainandClare on twitter ok over my blonde moment hope you are having a wonderful day 🙂
So, update, ’cause when I write to you I feel accountable. Still not smoking. Actually went to the gym 6 days last week, and upped my cardio time and weights AGAIN, and started BJJ with my kid! Feeling fantastic, but I think I’m driving my husband crazy with all my excess energy right now! Seriously seems like I can’t sit down for more than 5 minutes! (but I sure am sleeping well at night!)
I had my son sit down and read this with me. He is 10 years old, and testing into high school/college level. As smart as he is, he is always looking to throw in the towel and seems to have very little desire to want to go the extra mile. I have never been able to put into words why it is so important to always do your best, and work past the exhaustion and frustration. Your words said it all. I think now he sees why I always want him to push the boundaries with what he “thinks” he is capable of. Also, now he sees that his mother isn’t crazy for having 18-20 hour days, that I accomplish what I do NOT because I am secretly Super Woman… but because I know that I can do anything when I put my mind to it, a challenge will never break my spirit or drive, and that I am only as strong as I think I am. Ah, children… I could have said it till my face turned blue. It is now real because his favorite Hollywood star said it in a way that I never could. Thank you Sean!
I was sitting here thinking how exhausted I am, when I found this blog via Twitter. I think I just received a karmic ass kicking. Thanks for being the vehicle to deliver it.
I have struggled with weight since I was a teenager, and have spent the last year proving to myself that I can have the body I want. Every time I’d crush a goal, I’d set another. I still have a long, LONG way to go, but hey… what is life if not an adventure, right?
I have always hated that saying, 110%. I have worked with so many bosses that would always say, “You can meet your quota, if you give it 110%.” And I would say, “Okay I’ll give it my 100% and you can put in the other 10%.” I never really lasted to long at any one job, because I call it like I see it….( WAS IT SOMETHING I SAID?????)
And this blog is one of the many reasons why I respect Sean as a person. He said EXACTLY what I’ve been saying for years! I let my son read ur blogs so he can see what I tell him from someone else’s perspective. Because I don’t know about yall, but it was never that easy for me to actually LISTEN not just hear, but LISTEN to my mother. And I am raising my son the way I was raised. No cable. Play OUTSIDE everyday, work for what you want. If he wants so.etching he has to do the yard to EARN it! And when I was a kid, my dad would say, if we wanted Christmas presents, we had to pick up pecans and help sell em to EARN it! And let me tell y’all something….my son’s friends don’t come here very often, but their parents ALWAYS ask for him to go there. Because he is an AWESOME kid. Picks up after himself, says YES MA’AM and NO MA’AM. …etc……He gives ALL because that’s the way we raise him to be…..THANK YOU SEAN FOR TAKING THE EFFORT TO POST THESE, CA– USE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET THIS SOCIETY BACK ON TRACK IS A BIG HELP!!!!!
I have to admit, I’ve not been giving life my all lately. But this blog post has been such an inspiration to me 🙂 I work hard, and I love what I do, but at the same time I’ve been doing it for other people for far too long. I get discouraged at the lack of recognition I receive. But life isn’t about recognition. Life is about being able to look in the mirror and say, “I gave it my best shot.” Life is about knowing you made a difference in the lives of others, with or without being recognized for it. So from now on, I will give it 100% no matter what 🙂 Thank you for being an inspiration. I’m SO GLAD I found this blog! It’s amazing!!
I wanted to thank you for sharing such an uplfting and inspiring post.
I have been holding back on returning to the gym since I had a brain tumor removed in April.
Your showing how allowing myself to fall victim to my own fear has made me hold myself back.
With that being said, I am going to step up and get myself back to the gym and regain the strength
I lost while recuperating.
Thank you again.
Warmest regards,
Shauna
Sean, Thanks for your inspirational words on this and every post. Never doubt that they are powerful and changing lives. Here’s a short excerpt from something I’m working on as I strap on my boots and gear up for a long road ahead. Since this experience, I’ve improved my eating habits, exercise EVERY DAY, and I’ve dropped 20 pounds. After briefly sliding back into a bowl of Blue Bell Ice cream this weekend, I felt like crap! Once I woke up out of my sugar coma, I got back on my bike and worked it off.
“For a short time span over 2 days (WizardWorld Ohio), I knew the stars of the Boondock Saints – Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus – as the first two decent men that had ever looked at me and talked to me without some sort of judgment about my weight and physical appearance flooding over their faces.
What I experienced was the appreciation for the person I was; a person who had taken time and spent hard-earned money to be able to meet with them for a few minutes. They were both incredibly nice, they both took a few seconds to focus on just me, a fan, and they both treated every person in their captive audience exactly the same.
They did not single me out or give me special treatment; they treated me just like every other fan. For someone who is used to being intentionally ignored or treated as a disgusting slob, being addressed and acknowledged in the same positive manner in which everyone else is acknowledged is a REALLY BIG DEAL!
Now, this weekend didn’t give me any delusions that I now held some singularly special place in the heart of these talented men or they would remember me individually forever, but to be accepted and treated as an equal had a positive effect. It has given me the kick in the ass I needed to drop the excuses and change this part of my life.”
Thank you for all the stories and uncomfortable truths ! You make me think a lot about the way I live and the way I work! You are so good in words! Not many men can express their feelings in such a beautiful way you’re able to! What’s inside your head makes you so much more attractive than your handsome outside! Much love and respect from Germany. Always.
I appreciate it.