By defining yourself by what you are not, you will define yourself as nothing

I've been getting more serious about pursuing several goals, and this week gave me a great lesson in contrasts.

It reminded me of the importance of starting with the end in mind and to make sure that any success I achieve is something that I would actually want. I'm looking forward to stepping up, but I never want to have to put on a fake personality as a job requirement.

Even now in writing this I'm feeling the tension to not go all in as a one-dimensional fitness guy, or annoyingly cheerful, or any other common expectation that goes with my line of work.

And that's the problem isn't it?

We have stereotypes for people if they excel in any area.

And who wants to be a one-dimensional stereotype?

Who wants to be successful at the risk of becoming a "vacuous, shallow yuppie"? Who wants to become really fit at the risk of becoming a "stupid jock", or "vain and self-centered"? Who wants to be an artist at the risk of being "flighty, broke, and perpetually unhappy"?

By defining yourself by what you are not, you will define yourself as nothing.

The common choice is to avoid being too much of any one thing. Or else we let (at least I have) popular stereotypes drive the way we live. Or, realizing that some sort of action is required, it's common to accent or diminish key aspects of ourselves in order to fit the mold better and improve our odds of success.

Your money or your life.

I don't know about you, but I think that sucks.

I'm in the midst of this, so I don't have any great "I've-figured-this-out-and-aren't-I-super-cool" advise for you. I'm just going to try to connect with and read up about people who are successful in multiple disciplines and defy common stereotypes.

The only encouragement I can offer you is to start taking action and not letting these stereotypes define you. Get fit. Start pursing excellence. Get outside yourself. Commit.

-Charlie