Since a few got a kick out of my previous log title, I figured it could be an ongoing thing. No, this will not be about blowjobs but you'll see why you shouldn't settle for one.

I texted Dave earlier in the week because he always gives me perspective, and I really respect and listen to his advice. I think, if anything, he's been through hell and back, so he knows what he's talking about. Got to the gym and said hello to everyone. He does this thing where he'll go around equipment and creep up on you. He said "what's up, you needed to talk?" I told him it was nothing urgent but wanted to touch base with him about what I wrote in the "naked me" log. He straight out said a few things that just instantly made me feel better. He says things with a don't be a pussy attitude and you can't help but to laugh at some of the crazy shit he has to say sometimes. He's easy to talk to. I knew what to do but sometimes hearing it from someone else just clicks better.

The gist of it.

This isn't Nationals so just qualify. If you prepared for this meet, then hell yes try to hit PRs and a bigger total but don't risk injuring yourself. Why settle for a blowjob when you want to get laid? This isn't your final step. Your goal is to be a National record holder for strongman and powerlifting. If this was Nationals, I'd be raising hell but it's not. I would be doing what I can to get to the level I want. You don't want to look back at this year and say "I could have done this."

All these meets and competitions are only going to get you closer [and more experienced] for the next. Use it. You're not cutting weight but you can still monitor how your body fluctuates before the plane ride and after. Some people lose weight, some people retain water.  Use that information for when you do have to cut weight in the future.

This led on to other topics but related to each other.

I expressed to him that yesterdays post was really a first for me. I'm not the greatest writer but wanted to write something tangible, something other than curls for the girls exercises and how Bibibop is better than chipotle (yea, I said it). But, it made me feel better letting all that out.

After admitting to him that most of my stress and overthinking was and is self-imposed, he said that it was good to realize that because you're in control now, but it won't get better. You will only get better at handling all that shit. Then there will be more shit thrown at you. Then it's a repeated cycle.

If you really learned the lessons, it will bring and improve a few things: perspective, refraining and dealing with adversity. External factors are controllable and/or uncontrollable. Learn to recognize which is which.

You work a 9-5 job that you're just content with, what you settled for. In reality, you want to own your own business, be an entrepreneur, make more money, try to find purpose or passion in what you do and say you love what you do at the end of the day. What you don't know is the process is a bitch to get there, and most of the time you'll hate it. You may not even like it when you get to that point. You may just settle and do what you need to do to get to the next step. But working those jobs that you don't or didn't want are only making you a better worker for the next job you do want. Learning new skills. Taking advantage of the situation you're in.

All these topics in some way intertwine and I left this conversation with a better understanding.

Be in control. Change your attitude. Professionalism is key. Use resources to your advantage.