The Most Important Trait for Success in the Gym and Life

Self-Control, Optimism, and Honesty, these are some of the most important character traits a man can have in life. The optimism to push through a tough situation, the honesty to speak your mind and own up to your mistakes, and the self-control to avoid many less-than-ideal situations people find themselves in. These are all great traits, and research and my own life experiences (I’m sure your own experiences too) can back that up. There is one trait, however, that I believe truly stands above the rest. Adaptability. We are all a sum of our genetics, moral principles, and life experiences, and the latter always changes. Our jobs, relationships, education, health, happiness, and so much more is malleable and oftentimes out of control (to a certain extent). One thing that we can control, however, is our ability to adapt to changing life situations. Change can be scary, but it oftentimes gives us new insights and skills that we can apply as we carry on in life. Some of the biggest positives in my life were brought about by different changes and stressors that honestly frightened me and wore me out in the moment. Adaptability is the ability to accept change (note: you don’t have to enjoy it, especially not immediately) and make it work in our lives. I found an article recently that really put into perspective the importance of adaptability. It was focused on the effect career adaptability and courage had on life satisfaction. The study found that increased adaptability and courage led to a greater level of life satisfaction. This study really confirmed the importance of adaptability to me and led me to create the article you are reading at the moment. Now, as a writer for a primarily fitness based website, I wanted to find a way to apply adaptability to fitness and it honestly was not too hard. Everything that I have learned in the gym is based on trial and error, either by myself or by someone who was gracious enough to share their own experience. Any injury or plateau I have faced in the gym has given me an opportunity to learn more about my body and craft my routine to better suit it. The gym, and your own wellness in general, are the best place to start to build up adaptability in your life. It is an important aspect of your life that is generally only controlled by yourself. This gives you the ability to implement changes and track your progress without worrying about anyone else's opinion. On top of this, in times of change in other aspects of your life, it can be the one consistent thing that doesn’t change and keeps you grounded when you feel that your life is being flipped upside down. I implore you to embrace change, especially in your wellness journey, as it will build a bulletproof mentality that will serve you throughout life. No matter how uncontrollable a situation may seem, realize that you can always control one thing, your mindset.

Sources:

Maria Cristina Ginevra, Paola Magnano, Ernesto Lodi, Chiara Annovazzi, Elisabetta Camussi, Patrizia Patrizi, Laura Nota, The role of career adaptability and courage on life satisfaction in adolescence,Journal of Adolescence,Volume 62, 2018, Pages 1-8, ISSN 0140-1971, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.11.002.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140197117301677)