Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Integrity & Character...Do you possess it???

Its been a while but its time to address a few traits that should be important to everyone as an individual and certainly every CrossFitter.

Integrity and Character.  What is it, who has it, and how does it apply to life and CrossFit?  One of the amazing things, if you think about it, is how applicable CrossFit is in life.  Not just because of the functionality of the workouts or the benefits of increased strength, balance, and endurance.  CrossFit also transfers into everything you ever do, every person you meet, and every situation you find yourself in.  It shows itself through integrity and character. As I go to other affiliates, competitions, or even within my own box I see a recurring theme that revolves around these two identifiers.  Usually these names are more commonly heard in the negative as cheat, half ass, or liar.  Lets look at some practical definitions of these words and you should walk away with a little better understanding of what I'm talking about.

First is integrity.  Though integrity and character go together, this is the one people seem to have the hardest time with in life. Its the most difficult, because it begins with you.  Its that little voice inside you that guides you down one path or another.

 "Integrity is what you do when no one is watching; it's doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to your disadvantage." Tony Dungy

This is where it all begins.  When no one is looking at you, what choices do you make in life.  Its so easy when no one is looking to do something bad and its so hard to do something good with no credit.  You have to have a belief in yourself and hold true to it  no matter what, even if it impacts you negatively.

An easy way to sum up character would be the old saying, "What you do is not as important as how you do it."   There is always someone watching you.  Every action you take allows someone a little peek into your character. 

"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones" Phillip Brooks

In the most challenging of times our character is put to the test.  It is in those constant battles that we grow and reveal our character to others and to ourself.  In CrossFit, you will be forced each and every day to face both of these traits within yourself.  Every workout will be so difficult that at some point you will want to quit, or skip a rep, or not do the movement to its entirety.  This is when you must be strong and continue doing what you know is right even when no one is looking.  At the end of the day, someone is watching and they will hold you accountable for the actions you take.  Thus leading to your character.  The more you lose the battle to do right, the less character and credibility you have among your peers in the gym and in life.

CrossFit is a funny culture, and I love it to death.  You wont hear anyone, of good character, talk bad about how little weight someone lifted, how slow their time was, or that they had to have assistance to complete a rep.  What you will hear is an extreme disgust for someone who cheats, lies, or does something half-ass to have a fast time.  At the end of the day, its more important to your family, boss, friends, and especially crossfitters that you do everything with integrity and character.  Finish to the best of your ability, complete each and EVERY rep, and get stronger/faster every day.  If you are more concerned with having the fastest time but not worried about how you acheived it, then you will find yourself the target of much opposition.

I tell my clients, you dont have to be the fastest; you just have to get better!  Results come from hard work and dedication, not shortcuts and deceit.  Do things all the way and the results will be there.

See you all in the gym and remember that people are watching and we see everything you do :)

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