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Jun 21, 2022

Do Hard Things is Out Today! For far too long, we’ve propped up an external version of toughness based on bluster & bravado. We've neglected the inner strength that actually helps us navigate doubts, insecurities, & fears. This book changes that: amzn.to/39x7sAJ

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This isn’t rocket science. It’s reality. Just ask HS or college coach. Everyone has stories of kids who were slow early on and developed into studs. History is littered with examples. We need to keep people in sports long enough to express their talent.

We suck at predicting talent development. We're not good at it. Accept that. Now, if that's the case, why wouldn't we want to keep more people in the pipeline to see how they develop? Too often, especially in youth sports, we talent ID too quickly. We're fooling ourselves.

A bunch of world-class speed athletes take on the 800. Results roughly: 2:07- Lofton 2:09- Lewis 2:14- Walker Don't let anyone tell you the 800 isn't one of the toughest events there is...

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Superstars Competition

@SuperstarsComp

Check out the half mile event of the 1986 Superstars 1st preliminary @HerschelWalker @histepper33 @Carl_Lewis @lofton80 @TheBillyBlanks

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No amount of success is enough. If you crave external validation, you’ll always want more: more money; more fame; more followers. Behavioral scientists call this cycle of endless desire hedonic adaptation. Long before that, the Buddha called this suffering.

That dogmatic nature traps them when they need to recognize the messiness, nuance, and individuality of most problems we face as humans. Prevent yourself from marrying ideas. Like them, maybe even love them, but don't get cemented to them.

You see the same in diets, political theories/tribes, fitness, etc. People tie their identity to the group, idea, or diet. Then they can't see any other solution besides the one staring them in the face. They become blinded to other possibilities, and become dogmatic.

In coaching, we'd call this becoming blinded by a system. All systems work, some better than others...until they don't. They all fall short at some time. Those who fell in love with the system, wouldn't be able to adapt and adjust when they need to.

You can love an idea, just don't marry it. Too many people marry their ideas on diet, exercise, fitness, politics, optimization, etc. When you marry an idea, you can't see it clearly. You defend it, as if anyone offering criticism is attacking you as a person.

Doesn't matter where they start; the end road for grifting is always selling and proselytizing some extreme diet...

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Brad Stulberg

@BStulberg

Jordan Peterson got bored provoking people on religion and politics so now he's moved onto the third rail: diet (it was only a matter of time). He's so wrong. And it's laughably falsifiable. The leanest athletes in the world, Kenyan Marathoners, eat 80% carbohydrate diets. twitter.com/jordanbpeterso…

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Endurance sport is mental training. You are alone in your head for long periods of time with ever increasing levels of discomfort. You have a concrete goal that half your mind is screaming to abandon. You repeat this day after day and have no option but to figure it out.

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Steve's Monthly Science Digest

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If you enjoy insights on performance that are practical and evidence-based, consider: Signing up for my NEW monthly science newsletter, where I go deep on the latest research:

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‎WorkLife with Adam Grant: Getting to the heart of team culture with Pete Carroll on Apple Podcasts

21h

This conversation between

@AdamMGrant

and

@PeteCarroll

is well worth a listen. Some wonderful insights and practical takeaways on identity, leadership and much more:

podcasts.apple.com

‎Show WorkLife with Adam Grant, Ep Getting to the heart of team culture with Pete Carroll - Apr 24, 2023

21h

There are exceptions to every rule. But even in many of the examples of true obsessives who have external success, the rest of their lives are chaotic and falling apart. Most high performers are extremely driven in the process. But aren't addicted to the outcomes

Most people who tell you that you need to be absolutely obsessed to succeed are marketers. You need to be driven. But driven with an ability to quiet it down, to step away, to have just enough perspective. Obsession often leads to being miserable and burnt out.

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Feel Anxious or Stuck? Realign with Reality. - The Growth Equation

Jan 3

We need to do hard things that change our experience completely. Our brain gets used to seeing a hint of threat, then defaulting to this well-worn pathway of protect or escape. Doing something difficult dislodges us, freeing us to take another path:

thegrowtheq.com

“The greatest to ever do this event…there is no question, no female gymnast in history has ever taken this event on like Simone Biles,” veteran NBC announcer Tim Daggett gushed as Biles was standing...

Beware of your passion becoming obsessive. This happens when you become less passionate about doing an activity than you are about achieving external results and the validation that come with doing an activity.

It's a lot easier to say the right things than do them. Lots talk. Few do. Look towards the people whose actions mirror their values and ethics. Too often, those who talk loudly about values, often don't follow through with actions.

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When it comes to motivation and work/team culture: People need to feel valued and that they belong. Far too often, we get caught up in the details, but if you can create an environment where people feel truly valued, you are on the right path.

May 3

To reiterate, that doesn’t mean we dismiss biomarker based research. It’s great and necessary. But as science communicators, our job is put things in perspective. When we continuously overhype, eventually trust fades and people tune our when it really matters!

This is common in Bio markers are important! But lots of things impact bio markers. If all we cared about was activating some pathway or increasing some molecule, we’d have treatments for everything. But going from bio marker to significant functional impact is a big step.

This is the definition of biomarker madness. A study with interesting findings on bio markers but without clinical significance gets overhyped on social media. It shouldn’t be front page news. It should be the start of more research.

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Max Lugavere

@maxlugavere

In a new study, 4 weeks of simple breathwork—inhaling for 5 seconds, then exhaling for 5, twenty minutes twice a day—led to a decrease in Alzheimer’s-related proteins in blood. Why isn’t this front page news?

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May 3

Those who are most focused on reaching some external barometer of success are often the same people who struggle to enjoy it. Don't let your craving for success steal your joy of the experience.

May 3

The best performers tend to have a flexible and adaptive coping ability. They can bounce between different strategies, depending on the demands of the situation. There is no magic or best way to handle stress, fatigue, or discomfort Your best bet is to develop a lot of tools!

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Steve's Monthly Science Digest

Twitter is falling apart again… I am (and everyone else it seems) locked out of Twitter on desktop…. Follow me elsewhere! You can find me on: Instagram: instagram.com/stevemagness/ Newsletter: thegrowtheq.ck.page/1d13b156a3 —Spoutible, Blue Sky, Post, etc. at stevemagness

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Finished

‘Do a hard Things’ this weekend. A great read throughout regarding resilience but the final chapter is superb, especially this maxim.

Join over 40,000 readers, including many of the world's best performers, and subscribe to the Growth Equation newsletter.

Every week I put out a newsletter with

@BStulberg

that includes: 1. A deep-dive article on a performance concept. 2. Practical tips & takeaways to apply to your life 3. The latest research studies 4. Recommend Reads Join over 40k and subscribe here:

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The (Unfortunate) Power of a Story - The Growth Equation

Jan 1

At the 1928 Olympics, women ran the 800m for the 1st time. After the race, reporters wrote stories of women collapsing in utter exhaustion with half the field dropping out None of that occurred The 800 was eliminated for 32 years. Stories are powerful.

thegrowtheq.com

At the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, women were allowed to run the 800m for the first time. Up until that point, women were restricted to the short sprints, while men had a full plate of events to...

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Find a meaningful why for your work and pursuits. And, remind yourself of it often.

Greg Sankey

@GregSankey

Some great quotes excerpted from my reading of DO HARD THINGS by

Steve's Monthly Science Digest

“Purpose is the fuel that allows you to be tough.” “We’ve fallen for appearance without the subtance.”

- Using tactics to move from stress to calm: -connecting with others -affiliative behavior -slowing down breathing -routines -muscle relaxation -journaling or other ways to accept, process, & move on

The good thing is that this is a skill. How do you improve it? A variety of ways - Develop emotional flexibility - Sitting with emotions/feelings instead of reacting - Mindfulness - Work on shifting focus, zooming in/out, reframing & redirecting a goal - Practice presence

One skill that separates the best from the rest: Being able to let go. How quickly can you move on from the last at bat, shot, mile, or stressor? When we let something linger, it tends to spiral, and drag our focus and performance down with it. Learn to let go, quickly.

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If you're struggling in a workout or race, break it down. Get to the next lap, tree, turn, whatever. Give yourself bite size chunks that you can manage. You'd be surprised how long you can keep bargaining with yourself to make it to the next landmark.

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No achievement will ever be enough. Accept that. There is no reaching something that will make you feel completely satisfied. You have to cultivate contentment on your own. Or else you’ll never stop chasing

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If I wanted to train for the Olympics, I wouldnÕt ask my neighbor who jogs down the street for advice. IÕd find a coach! ThereÕs no harm in that. ItÕs good. Get "coaching" in whatever areas of your life you need it. It's what we do in every other field. Do it in mental health.

Does your environment push you towards avoiding or approaching? Fear constricts. It pushes us towards avoidance and protection. When we empower, support, and are encouraged to compete with effort, we approach. We take on challenges, instead of being fearful of failure.

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Ben Brewster

@TreadAthletics

Worst pitching culture I've been a part of: we sensed the coach's anxiety and lack of confidence in us. Knew if we failed he'd tear us apart. Best pitching culture - we were encouraged to hang our nuts on the mound and keep competing until forced to leave the game.

I get it. I prefer certain exercises over others. Some love the treadmill, others see it as torture. Some love lifting heavy objects and grunting. Others love excessively sweating for hours on a long ride If you aren't training for an event, whatever gets you moving is great

The number of gurus who scream on social media or write articles that running or endurance exercise is bad for general fitness is surprisingly high. It's either click bait or they are showing how clueless they are.