G’day Shredders,
Today I like to share some very powerful words of wisdom I received from my close friend and mentor, Carlos DeJesus – 1985 Natural Bodybuilding World Champion.
In this message Carlos discusses his definition of failure and how we as Shredders (and in our general day-to-day lives) can re-frame our past “failures” and use these experiences to effect change in the future.
Adam,Today’s Thought:FailureWhat is failure?fail-ure (falyr) n. [[< earlier failer < Anglo-Fr < OFr faillir : see FAIL]] 1 the act, state, or fact of failing; specif.,a) a falling shortb) a losing of power or strengthc) a breakdown in operation or functiond) neglect or omissione) a not succeeding in doing or becomingf) a becoming bankrupt2 a person or thing that fails3 Educ. a) a failing to pass b) a grade or mark (usually F) indicating a failing to passI choose letter (e), not succeeding in doing or becomingThe WhatSo, to me– Failure is to not succeed. (This is how I think)How do I not succeed?To make a mistake?NoTo get tired?NoTo not have enough information to make the right choice?NoFailure is to give up……..abandon ship……quit…..not try any more.Why (is that my definition)Because if I quit, if I don’t try any more, if I abandon the mission, dream,I won’t be able to apply any more action to effect any further change.And it is action that brings about change.So.As long as I haven’t given up, as long as I haven’t quit…I have Not failed!There is still opportunity, possibility that if I do something I can effect changeget back on track toward the completion of an objective, and effect success.Done.Carlos
I wholeheartedly agree with Carlos’ approach. In fact, my own six years of “failed” attempts to get back into shape between 2000 and 2006 is proof that as long as you never quit, it is never too late to turn your life around and create the body (and life) of your dreams.
Go to Carlos DeJesus Total Fitness to learn more about Carlos’ products and services, including his world-famous Quad Blaster: RTP Review
Carlos’ Website: http://www.carlosdejesustotalfitness.com
Eat Clean, Shred Hard, Think BIG!
Catch ya,
Adam Waters, NESTA-CPT
RTP Shred 2.0: Day 20 of 84
Real-Time Accountability Log
Program: RTP Transformation System
Below are RTP Blog Daily pics for September 6, 2008: Mission 5 – RTP Shred 2.0 Day 20 of 84.
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IN one of the recent interviews in Scott Tousignant’s Unstoppable Fat Loss series the interviewee says, “there is no failure only results.” keep on going and you will Never fail!
I have to agree, Adam. I was thinking about this, this morning, actually (I often have fake interviews with myself – it’s a gift
lol ). My conclusion was, never be afraid of failure – be afraid of quitting.
HOW TRUE!
In my point of view, you can succesively fail and succeed several times in the same journey but if you determine that finally your physical appearance has advanced, you succeed. Nevertheless, if it’s the contrary, and if you give up, you failed!
Failure is already the fact of losing control! If you have decided to take a rest for few weeks, if you know that you are going to regress but are ready to come back again, it’s not failure, it’s a mastered resignation (the theory of mastered resignation has been studied and included in the method that I’m using: Olivier Lafay method).
- Neglect isn’t a failure if it doesnt affect the progression.
- A becoming bankrupt is, for me one of the worst failure but the fact of “becoming” proove that you can already get back to your form!
- A not succeding is the most common fact that I felt a lot of times during my journey:
For ex the first 3 weeks of april that drove me to my day 71 neck injury, after the end of M1 big revealed I knew stagnation 3 other weeks…
But you are right Adam, you havn’t completely failed if you havn’t completely given up!
There is no escuse!
Bob
What a great lesson today from Carlos! It makes me feel so good to think that am not failing, that there is still a possibility that I will succeed in changing my body into the way I dream. Thanx Carlos! Thanx Adam for passing his wisdom along to us.
BTW…am always wondering about your necklace…are those turquoise stones in there? Is that a leather thong? Is it truly special? Regardless, you look great in it. Keep it going.
Lynda
I need to hear this today. Thanks for sharing it with us Adam!
Carlos is a true inspiration and wealth of knowledge. We are very privileged to have him take such an interest in our group.
This is good wisdom, Adam. I won’t be giving up!
I’m speechless whenever I read something by Carlos. I think he should publish a daily calendar – Words of Wisdom by Carols DeJesus. I would buy it in a heart beat!
(Leather thong? I don’t see a leather thong. I want Lynda’s x-ray goggles! lol)
Sorry, couldn’t help myself. ;D
I also needed to hear this today. It helps to know that we are all fighting against failure and we’re not just alone in this fight. Failure is something that everyone experiences and everbody thinks about. Thinking about it often causes fear to fill inside me and I become paralyzed. But knowing that the only way to fail is to quit is great and so true! I like to tell myself that fear is an indulgence, because being afraid is to be in a state of no-action,of weakness, of falling prey. Fear is an indulgence because you just sit there being afraid and don’t have to take action. Being afraid is a choice, a choice to be weak and not take action, and that to me is an indulgence.
Lilla,
The thong is part of the necklace! Maybe I should have said cord….gosh, I messed up didn´t I?
Lynda
True wisdom from Carlos DeJesus. Giving up is not an option!
Hey Adam,
I am getting around pretty good now. Doctor has cleared me to start up my routine again. I am so excited! I am also very thankful for all the prayers and good wishes. You never really accept the life you have been given, until it is threatened. I have to pretty much start all over again. This saddens me, for about a minute. My drive and determination has been accented by this close call. The quote by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, ” I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” , this is what this has done to me. I have the resolve to finish what I started. I am going to be REMASTERED.
Brian
great to hear from you Brian! Hope all is well.
You didn’t mess up Lynda. Just my warped sense of humor after a long drive and little sleep.
Welcome back, Brian!
Thank you Shredders for your awesome comments to Carlos’ message. I’ll discuss this topic more in today’s Shredder Sunday video.
Hi Lynda, my necklace does have special meaning! I bought it in my trip to Phuket in August 2006 (when I was overweight) as a reminder that one day I would return for a “redemption trip” (which I did in March 2007!).
P.S. I didn’t know there was another meaning of thong until I checked images on Google! In Oz, thong means sandal!
Hi Brian, mate that is awesome to hear that you are back. I had been thinking of you recently and hoping that you were on the road to recovery. You have chosen a very powerful quote mate, and I look forward to seeing you shredding again.
Adam