I am in love with this commercial. It hits on an issue that I’ve noticed in my life and observed in others. A lot of us have kind settled for not pushing ourselves to achieve the goals that we dream of and are just coasting in life.
Even though the commercial is specifically talking about fitness. I think there is also a sly and somewhat cynical commentary being made about Americans’ current subpar performance across the board. In education, safety, health, and wealth accumulation.
We don’t want to push ourselves because it’s hard. Because it’s not fair that we aren’t all on the same playing field. We tell ourselves when people lose weight that they probably had great genetics and that it was random that they gained weight. Or, when people pay off extreme amounts of debt obviously the had help from family or sold things. Forgetting that mainly people dig deep and sacrifice for years to achieve debt freedom.
Sacrifice is no longer sexy in America. And because of this we get the results that we accept and them. I complain about them too and am guilty of being a whiner. Are you?
Be honest with yourself. Do you think that we should all get certificates of participation even when we haven’t done anything noteworthy? By softening all of the rough edges in life are we dulling our ability to embrace adversity, step up in times of strife, and push ourselves harder than we ever imagined we could tolerate?
I’m trying to lose weight-AGAIN. I had to understand that I just wasn’t trying as hard as I needed to in order to get the results that I would like. It took having several pairs of pants explode, shoving myself into my Derby Day cocktail dress, and being depressed by how I feel about my health to really understand the importance of pushing myself harder.
I wasn’t always so average.
I used to be involved in numerous activities, organizations, and communities. I got a thrill out of being “The best.” Or, as close to the top as I could get in the situation that I was in. Mediocrity came into my life slowly. I settled into working a solid salaried job, I lived in a fantastic area, I had great friends. Why did I need to push any harder? Wasn’t what I had “The Dream?”
Yes and No.
Yes, I had a home, an education, vacations, health care, and so much more. But it wasn’t enough. Why not? Who was I helping? Was I volunteering, donating time and money to those less fortunate than I? Was I pushing myself to lose weight? Was I forcing myself to do something social every week (throwing myself into the path of men so that I could meet “The One?”) No. I was coasting and getting the results that I earned.
Or, maybe this is it? Maybe what I call mediocrity (for me) is just how life is? The question that I have to ask myself: how do I envision my Rock Star Life?
I acknowledge that every person has a different version of a Rock Star Life. I also have to be honest and say that to a certain degree I’m halfway to living my complete Rock Star Life. First, I’d like to talk about what’s working. Then, I’ll talk about what’s missing.
What’s working?
- Owning my own home-Check! I love my tiny place. I feel blessed every time I step foot inside my home and I love the continuing project of making it the best home it could be.
- Earning my Masters Degree In Public Administration-I actually use my degree! It was too expensive, but, what is done is done. I am grateful every time my university education helps me to think critically, understand complex information, and apply that knowledge to better my life.
- Travel-I am a travel addict and love meeting people from all over the world. Countries I’ve Traveled To: Canada, Japan (and lived there), Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Argentina, Italy, Spain, France (lived there), and Switzerland. I’ve also been to the following amazing cities: London, NYC, L.A., Chicago, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagano, Buenos Aires, Bern, Lugano, Venice, Florence, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco. WoW!!
- Creating Balance in My Life-This is ongoing. Now that I have my vacation time approved I have time to focus, to rest, and to work on what’s important for me.
What’s Not?
- Still freaking single. Don’t feel bad for me! I’m finally having a lot of fun working on this project. I had to get over being tired and too cerebral about this. I am now doing something social every week. I can’t meet people from inside my house. I’m still a little shocked by this! I do have an online dating profile I just prefer meeting people in real time.
- Lack of Fun-I am NOT having as much fun as I would like. I would love to do the Amazing Race, Get Out Alive, or Jeopardy. Maybe I could get on Blood, Sweat and Heels? I could live in NYC for a season. I would love to go to cool events like the Sundance Film Festival or a Wimbledon. I just need to grow my blog and start asking for free passes! For now, I’ll start small. Maybe run in a mud race? Or just throw a sumptuous dinner party first? We’ll see.
- I need more people! I still am spending too much time on my own after work. I’m still working hard on recreating a community of great friends and acquaintances in Denver. This will take time but I think I’m on the right track.
- Focus On Health-I need to lose the weight. I don’t feel good. I’ve stepped it up and unlike every other time I’ve tried to lose weight I don’t feel like quitting this time. I don’t want to accept how I feel about myself anymore. I am exercising everyday, getting up early, working out to my dvds. Slow and steady wins the race.
- Travel More/Live Abroad Again-I’ve never loved backpacking. I like traveling slowly. Finding a wonderful little town. Settling in at a cute hostel or B&B talking to fellow travelers, and random people. Walking around for hours. Looking at all of the little things that we miss when we’re in a hurry: flowers, children, couples in love, shoes, doors, and anything else that catches the eye. I miss long trips.
- Grow my business-I want to work for myself. Growing my business is a HUGE part of what I will be focusing on for the rest of this year.
In retrospect, finding my inner Rock Stars shouldn’t be too hard. I’m thinking your Rock Star life isn’t too far out of reach for you either. If you are living what you feel is an average life FOR YOU. Make a list and figure out the smallest step that you can take to more your toward what you want for yourself. After time your steps will get bigger.
I realize that I’ve written about this process in varying ways throughout the past year. But maybe I have to think about this over and over again until I push through whatever is blocking me from what I want for myself. I would like to encourage you to do the same until you get to what you want.
You’re a Rock Star-Believe It. Stop being average. Push through. Try hard until something amazing happens.
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That commercial is fricken hilarious!!! LOVED this article! Love this: “By softening all of the rough edges in life are we dulling our ability to embrace adversity, step up in times of strife and push ourselves harder than we ever imagined we could tolerate?” It does seem that way. We seem to medicate ourselves in some way whenever something is difficult. People, life is difficult! We need to build real tools to be able to handle it. Good luck with everything you want to do!
Isn’t it awesome?! I think that you got it-LIFE IS DIFFICULT. How we deal with it says a lot. I get sick of it being so hard. But, I just have to dust myself off and try, try, try again. While bitching underneath my breath 🙂
Hmmm. For me, the biggest problem is the (recent) increase in work hours. I used to have a shorter commute (drove, rather than caught a train and walked). And I had a role that had a lower hour count. Anyhow… Because of the change, I now find it harder to eat healthy, run as much as I want to (I walk to and fro with the train, but not the same as working up to distance running!) and have energy and time for my community engagement activities.
As far as ‘rockstar’ life, I otherwise think it’s ok. Japan, and maybe France/Phuket this year. I found a great conference in San Fran in the industry I’m in, but a specialization I’d like to move towards. Maybe I should put my money where my mouth is? I want to see San Fran too!
I suppose for me, I have to work on making work cast a shorter shadow over the rest of my life. It’s (just) a pay cheque – it won’t be at my death bed, so you know… only do so much, and give so much, even if other give more… now to the HOW?!
I totally understand about the work hours. I had to start taking vacation time to balance out everything. I just didn’t have enough energy to deal with what I needed to deal with in my life. I deal with way too many people right now so I find it overwhelming at times.
Japan is great and of course so is France. I haven’t gone to Phuket and it’s on my list. San Francisco is wonderful!! But, you do have to be aware of the homeless situation. It’s in my top 10 favorite U.S. cities.
I work to live at this point, I absolutely don’t live to work anymore. I’m over that phase in my life. If I figure out the “How” I will let you know!
I am an average person too and I’m loving it. I want my life to be just simple. I don’t want to be a famous one because I don’t want my life to be public.
I don’t want to be famous, I just want to live my version of a Rock Star Lifestyle! Famous people always have too many issues. Having a lot of power would be great too 🙂
You’ll find your inner RockStar! Not to worry, you’re so close! 🙂
I think I’m at a similar stage of the journey as you. I’m sick of mediocrity. I’m surrounded by it…especially in my job and it drives me nuts! My employer endorses “average” they want mediocrity..I suppose that’s what happens when you work for a large organization. But I’m going to change that! 🙂
I’m the same as you on the single life…you should be able to meet someone in your day to day life. Online dating just seems so weird and forced. I have to sign up for some of the events they have and I’m commiting to getting out more this summer to meet people. You’re absolutely right, you can’t meet people when you’re sitting inside all the time! Reminds me of Chris Hadfield’s Ted Talk that to conquer your fear you just have to keep doing the thing you fear the most over and over until you’re not scared anymore.
Thanks Michelle! It’s crazy how I’ve allowed myself to slide into a subpar existance. As I push myself and become a lot more focused/mindful of my life/love/health/relationship goals it’s easier to move towards what I want. As I’ve focused on dating I’ve been hit on a HECK of a lot more. The more I focus on fitness the better I feel, etc. I really don’t love online dating…but it is in my repetoire of dating options. Each week I do something social. Sometimes it’s a hit, sometimes a miss…by pushing myself I’ve become a lot more at ease with talking to new people and my confidence is returning.