My Favorite Types of Heavy Lifts,
I’ve been engaged in physical activity almost my entire life. I’ve also been creative my entire professional life. And I’ve often thought, as I’m just about to superset myself into red-faced oblivion, that there must be overlap between those two lives. They’re both about grit, persistence, and the grind. They both reward consistency. And they’re both incredibly gratifying, long-term pursuits where the process is as important as the product. So what I’m trying to say is; if you want to be more creative, grab your weight belt and meet me over at the dumbbell rack. Let’s dive into how these two great tastes can taste great together.
Discipline Over Motivation
Just like you may have huge dreams of hitting the gym at 5am everyday, you might also have an outsized goal to overcome the next career hurdle. That’s great – but dreams only get you so far. Motivation gets you started, but discipline keeps you going. Gains aren’t made in the first day – they’re made in the 101st. So don’t stop at your first idea. Make your date with the creative process regular, routine, and repeatable whether that’s every morning, afternoon, or evening.
Love the Process, Not Just the Outcome
True athletes will tell you that they love training as much (or more) than competing. They’ll tell you they love the process, the pump, the interval, or the workout. Real growth, in both fitness and creativity, comes from embracing this process—whether you’re drafting a piece or refining your craft. Don’t just brainstorm. Do it in a way you love, and then you’ll love it when you have to get back to the drawing board.
Consistency Begats Creativity
Remember Lance Armstrong? Yeah, he’s not an ideal role model, but he did say something that sticks with me in one of his Nike TV spots. “Everybody asks me what I’m on. What am I on? I’m on my bike everyday.” Turns out that wasn’t exactly true but the principle remains the same. Keep riding. Keep running. Keep lifting. Keep brainstorming. Keep showing up. Just as regular workouts build strength, consistent ideation builds mastery. One day you may feel like a chump. And the next day, like magic, you’re a champ. Why? It’s actually not magic. It’s mastery. So trust the process.
Failure Is Your Friend
Overheard in the gym: “Today, I’m lifting to failure.” Why, you may ask? Because failure is where the growth begins. If you’re not failing, you’re not seeing your boundaries. If you’re not hitting your max, you’re not building strength, and your workout isn’t a breakthrough. It’s just like brainstorming. Creatively, failure often precedes breakthroughs. Find your limits. Lift your ideas to failure. That’s where the growth begins.
But Recovery Is How Growth Happens
Your muscles need to rebuild to get stronger. And they can only do that at rest. You ever wonder why all your great ideas come in the shower? It’s because your mind is there, at rest, running through the routine of washing your hair. You can’t force great ideas, but just like muscle growth, you can create conditions where great ideas happen, and then let your unconscious mind take over when you’re in recovery.
Community Keeps You Accountable
Every great bench press needs a spotter. Every great runner needs a group. And every great creative needs a community. They keep your ideas fresh, keep you motivated, and most importantly, they’ll be honest when your ideas aren’t there yet. So find your tribe and get swept up in their current.
In both fitness and creativity, success stems from showing up, investing in the process, and embracing the highs and lows. Growth happens in the marathon, not the sprint.