Lessons From Marvin

I have a friend named Marvin.

It was Marvin’s birthday just the other day and I forgot to say Happy Birthday to him.

Marvin is from Switzerland, but I swear that he is just saying that to mess with people.

The dude is from another planet.

Marvin looks like a young version ofT.I. and sounds like Bob Marley. 

Marvin’s the kind of guy who will be working on a spectacular mural of Mohammed Ali, but can also squat more than you. (barefoot with no warm-up)

Marvin's the kind of guy who will school you on the basketball court and then hand you a book on ancient Sufi wisdom.

Marvin’s the kind of guy who will eat your all of your Cinnamon Raisin bread and you won’t even get mad because he’s Marvin. 

So needless to say he’s a guy who I listen to when he says something.

Marvin once told me that he never makes decisions out of fear or out of laziness.

That was something that has really stuck with me ever since he said it.

And it is something that I find important to ask myself every time a big decision comes up in my life.

What does it mean to make a decision out of fear or laziness?

What does it look like to act out these two values?

Here’s an example...

We see athletes get injured all the time.

It can take them weeks or months to return to the field depending on the severity of their injuries.

Oftentimes when they return they don’t play up to expectations.

They are hesitant.

They don’t make the moves that they used to.

They won’t take the hits that they used to.

They are a shell of their former selves.

They play with the fear of the injury in their mind.

It may take them a few weeks to get back to their old self, or they may never mentally recover.

They may play scared for the rest of their career.

The reason that they were able to play so well in the first place was not all physical.

It was because they played without fear.

They weren’t afraid to take a hit.

They weren’t afraid to make a hard cut and drive the rim.

They played with nothing on their mind, but the game itself.

We are the same.

We can live our lives out of fear or laziness OR we can take direct responsibility for our circumstances and realize that beyond fear is nothing.

What I mean by that is…

If you decide to start going to the gym even if you are completely out of shape it may be scary, but nothing bad is going to happen.

But if you decide to stay home and sit on the couch…

If you decide to stand up for yourself at work or in a relationship it may be scary, but nothing bad is going to happen.

But if you decide to say nothing and let the resentment grow…

If you decide to finally to apply for the job you have always wanted it may be scary, but nothing bad is going to happen.

But if you never take that leap of faith…

It is when you make a decision based in your fear or in your laziness that bad things will happen.

Relationships will fester and grow toxic.

Your body will become inactive and unhealthy.

Your mind will grow stagnant and dull.

So…

Take an inventory of your life…

What circumstances are you in due to fear or laziness?

What relationships?

What career path?

What dreams are you not acting on?

What things are you not saying?

What version of yourself is being dulled and hidden from others?

This is something that I have challenged myself to do and I challenge you to do the same.

Thanks Marvin and Happy Birthday!

Click here for my Aesthetic Lifter Program

Click here for Online Coaching

Also stay tuned for an amazing opportunity which I am launching on Jan 2nd!