The Dumbbell Test
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Hey friend, If you’ve ever lifted weights, you know the moment. You walk up to the rack and find dumbbells scattered everywhere. Plates left on the bar. Machines still loaded with someone else’s effort. And you’re faced with a simple human test. Do you clean it up? Do you put things back, even when no one’s watching? At first glance, it’s nothing. Just another gym annoyance. But those small moments speak volumes. You don’t re-rack the weights for symmetry, or to satisfy some OCD need for order. You do it for someone else — the next person. Someone you’ll never meet. Someone who might not even notice. And that’s the point. It takes effort. Especially after a heavy set, when all you want to do is walk away. But you don’t. You leave the space better than you found it. It’s the same principle behind why the All Blacks clean their own changing rooms. Why the Japanese football teams became known for tidying up after matches. It’s self-respect. Quiet service. A standard. And it spreads. Because if you’re willing to cut corners here — when no one sees — where else are you cutting corners? These little moments are decisions about the kind of person you want to be. You prove to yourself that you are who you say you are. We often think of building self-esteem by telling ourselves how good we are. But true, deep-down self-esteem is built from a library of experiences — moments where you proved it to yourself. No one will see it. No one will praise it. No one will know. But you will. Quote I likedYou’ll always face situations you think you can’t overcome. But every time, you do. Recommendation for youSleep Token - Emergence (on Spotify) Needed for motivation in the gym. Podcast#224 - Why Perfectionism Is Holding You Back - Beth Tweddle I have a podcast that helps you build a stronger mind to take on life. Like me, it's a work in progress. Subscribe to the podcast here. (p.s. If you can subscribe on Youtube that would be amazing.) I'll see you later, Lewis Try my Mindset app for sport here |
The Game Plan
Take on the next week with lessons, perspectives, or insights for your mindset.
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