Eric Helms - On Motivation, Competitive Drive, Balance, and Keeping the Fire
Posted by Eric Helms on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Under: Team 3DMJ
So it's come up in a few questions from clients, friends, and also in
discussions lately with my fellow coaches...questions on motivation, and
how you get to that perfect place where you have both dedication,
desire, discipline, and yet also completely are in love with the
journey.
Honestly for many, especially with the personalities that tend to get drawn to this sport, these two attitudes sometimes feel mutually exclusive. I know for me, when I was younger, I couldn't pursue anything competitively unless I could convince myself in my head, that there was at least a chance in hell one day, that I could be the best at that endeavor. If I didn't believe that, or couldn't convince myself, I'd quit. It's been a long struggle to find a middle ground.
When I first began bodybuilding, in 07, my first competitive season I was all in. I thought about competing night and day, ate meals on the dot, never even considered cheating, and the one day I broke and had an extra table spoon of peanut butter I literally broke down crying because I felt I'd failed myself.
This approach also led me to damaged friendships, a damaged relationship with my wife, and gaining 48lbs in two months after my shows that season.
I knew I had to find balance, but at the same time, I also loved the competitive fire. I loved the killer instinct, the rush, and the motivation of pushing yourself. A part of me truly loved, and still loves the hardcore aspect of weight lifting and bodybuilding.
That push yourself to the limit, do anything necessary in the gym and kitchen attitude is actually something that I enjoy to an extent. It's safe to say I have a healthy streak of masochism and I don't think I'm alone in that regard among most bodybuilders. But, I also have a great ability to enjoy my success regardless of placing, wins, losses and really just focus on me and enjoying the process.
I am realizing that I've achieved a healthy balance between the mindset of taking this a day at at time with the goal of truly enjoying myself and having a positive outlook, focusing on ME and not other people, or a placing...AND also keeping the fire alive.
Keeping the fire alive for me, can include having some external goals and motivation in addition to the internal motivation and ongoing goal of self improvement. I would be lying to you if I told you I haven't imagined the day I'd win my pro card over and over; what it would be like to win an overall, hold a sword, be the last man standing. And although it was something I'd dreamed about and that felt so satisfying to accomplish, it was not the core value. I was rooted in the knowledge of who I am and what I'm worth with or without the win, and the primary goal is always self improvement regardless of how I'm placed or what I win. And, what's even more satisfying than winning is knowing that I'd be happy, well adjusted, and okay both emotionally and mentally even if I hadn't won the overall.
The following two videos really represent the emotional mindsets I follow to maintain this lifestyle, the first is a vlog by Jeff on the very subject which high lites the primary core of my approach, enjoying the journey:
And the second is a great representation of that "fire" that hardcore attitude and approach that had me falling in love with this sport in the first place, the ability to turn on the relentless warrior is always going to be there and it will be a part of the sport and competition that I always enjoy...it's just important to remember that this aspect of me is a tool in my tool box, its not all that I am:
Honestly for many, especially with the personalities that tend to get drawn to this sport, these two attitudes sometimes feel mutually exclusive. I know for me, when I was younger, I couldn't pursue anything competitively unless I could convince myself in my head, that there was at least a chance in hell one day, that I could be the best at that endeavor. If I didn't believe that, or couldn't convince myself, I'd quit. It's been a long struggle to find a middle ground.
When I first began bodybuilding, in 07, my first competitive season I was all in. I thought about competing night and day, ate meals on the dot, never even considered cheating, and the one day I broke and had an extra table spoon of peanut butter I literally broke down crying because I felt I'd failed myself.
This approach also led me to damaged friendships, a damaged relationship with my wife, and gaining 48lbs in two months after my shows that season.
I knew I had to find balance, but at the same time, I also loved the competitive fire. I loved the killer instinct, the rush, and the motivation of pushing yourself. A part of me truly loved, and still loves the hardcore aspect of weight lifting and bodybuilding.
That push yourself to the limit, do anything necessary in the gym and kitchen attitude is actually something that I enjoy to an extent. It's safe to say I have a healthy streak of masochism and I don't think I'm alone in that regard among most bodybuilders. But, I also have a great ability to enjoy my success regardless of placing, wins, losses and really just focus on me and enjoying the process.
I am realizing that I've achieved a healthy balance between the mindset of taking this a day at at time with the goal of truly enjoying myself and having a positive outlook, focusing on ME and not other people, or a placing...AND also keeping the fire alive.
Keeping the fire alive for me, can include having some external goals and motivation in addition to the internal motivation and ongoing goal of self improvement. I would be lying to you if I told you I haven't imagined the day I'd win my pro card over and over; what it would be like to win an overall, hold a sword, be the last man standing. And although it was something I'd dreamed about and that felt so satisfying to accomplish, it was not the core value. I was rooted in the knowledge of who I am and what I'm worth with or without the win, and the primary goal is always self improvement regardless of how I'm placed or what I win. And, what's even more satisfying than winning is knowing that I'd be happy, well adjusted, and okay both emotionally and mentally even if I hadn't won the overall.
The following two videos really represent the emotional mindsets I follow to maintain this lifestyle, the first is a vlog by Jeff on the very subject which high lites the primary core of my approach, enjoying the journey:
And the second is a great representation of that "fire" that hardcore attitude and approach that had me falling in love with this sport in the first place, the ability to turn on the relentless warrior is always going to be there and it will be a part of the sport and competition that I always enjoy...it's just important to remember that this aspect of me is a tool in my tool box, its not all that I am:
In : Team 3DMJ
Tags: motivation contest prep mindset balance
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Team 3DMJ is comprised of Champion Natural Bodybuilders Alberto Nunez, Brad Loomis, Eric Helms and Jeff Alberts. United their goal is to share knowledge and to promote the sport of natural bodybuilding as a whole.
