Last night, the Nordhoff family did a Wall Squat Competition. I'm not sure exactly who started it - probably Kaden - but it turned out to be a great lesson for me.
I officially started the competition with a respectable score of 1:31 minutes. I thought that was pretty good. Up next, Kaden. He wizzed passed my 1:31 and with a lot of gasping, making funny faces and pain, he was able to persevere through to 2:30.
After that, Mom was up. She went to 3:12!!! WOW! I was impressed with my wife.
Up next, Amo and Apo. Amo went to 1:30 - my original time. Respectable! Apo went to 2:45. Again, very respectable.
Then, it was Alex's turn. He went to 4:01! Incredible.
By this point, Kaden was highly motivated - almost angry with competitiveness. So, he squats against the wall for an incredible 6:30! WOW! We all though no way are we going to beat that time.
I go up again and I get 2:01. I beat my previous high of 1:31, but I was just too tired after doing it so much beforehand without being timed. I'll get em next time, I said to myself.
Then, for the grand finale, Alex gets up against the wall and is determined to beat Kaden. Well, leave it to a brother to motivate you. Alex stays against the wall for an amazing 7:01 minutes! Bravo Alex!
Do you think Alex and Kaden would have gotten such high numbers if they had done those wall squats on their own? No way! They needed each other to push beyond what they thought they could do.
I let that be a lesson for me. In everything I do, I need to do it with others - especially if there's a competition. Because if I have someone to push me, I will go beyond what I think I can do. I work by myself most of the time. But recently I took on a very large client where I get to work in a team atmosphere. It's been really great so far because the other team members have already challenged me - not even directly challenged me, but indirectly, by their work ethic and work standards.
This little experience has caused me to re-think my workout plan. I was planning on doing the exercises on my own, but now I'm thinking I might do it with some of my friends and have them challenge me to go beyond. I'm also planning on publicly sharing my weight loss goals with more of my friends and have them push and challenge me. By the way, my goal is to weigh 190 or less by the end of this year. I'm currently 210.
That little wall squat competition did a lot for our family. Not only did we have a lot of fun, but we also gained a lot of respect for what each other could do, it was fun and it made us realize that we need each other to go beyond what we think we can do on our own.
Oh, and one more important thing. Yesterday, my friend and neighbor, James Frazier, competed in the Ironman competition. He persevered and he finished. It's was an inspiring day for us all as we kept up with his progress all day online. This morning, he's got me believing I could do the Ironman too. What, am I crazy? Maybe. But one thing is true, his accomplishment pushes me to believe beyond what I think I can do on my own!
