As a kid I was often sticking my nose into the latest project around the house, which was anything from making dinner to tuning up the car to building a deck. Lucky for me my parents welcomed my involvement and I learned a great deal – not only about how-to specifically, but also about the mindset needed to accomplish anything in life.

Two specific phrases have stuck with me, probably without my parents having any idea how much they have served me in life.

Phrase 1: I remember once my father and I working on the car – well he was working and I was learning. He asked me to get a tool for him and off I went. I came back with something similar and he said that was not it. I suggested it would work anyway and he said in a stern voice “that is not the right tool for the job … with the right tool you can do anything you want.” And off I went for the right tool frustrated at being the go-pher that I was. But the lesson was etched in me to look for and use the appropriate tool for each of my life’s challenges.

Phrase 2: I remember another case where my father and I were building something with wood. He handed me the saw and let me have a go at the next cut. I started the cut at the line making slow short cuts, then continued to make short cuts trying to force it using maybe 2-3″ of the saw’s blade. The blade was bending and binding up under my choppy force. He stopped me and said “let the saw do the work, use longer smooth cuts”. And there it was – an effortless cut in less time by using the full capability of the resource at hand.

[My father is reading this now and is probably shocked the little squirt was actually paying attention back then. ]

So how can we apply these concepts to fitness? Well to start, having the right tool means finding the right combination of tools (activities) to meet your specific fitness goals. Given that everyone’s toolbox is also a different size and has different capabilities already in it, the approach you take is specific to you. Beware of the advice that suggests any plan applies to you in an absolute sense. My fitness toolbox consists of:

• An awareness of posture all day long … sitting, standing, walking
• A running technique “practice” and program that is highly efficient and low stress
• A cross-training program for core strength and overall range of motion
• A resistance stretching program to regain flexibility
• A breathing practice to improve efficiency and further develop the mind/body aspects of entering the “zone”
• An approach to nutrition that supports my goals
• An understanding that rest is critical
• An awareness of how to create balance in the midst of my own enthusiasm
• A flexible mindset to how my goal will be achieved, or may even change over time

And second, having an understanding that forcing any of these tools to work harder than they are capable of – or expect them to work in isolation – is really just harder on me and adds unnecessary risk. On any given day, it is what it is. Attachment to expectation will usually result in frustration. Showing up, fully body sensing what is possible, and making the most of each moment is really all we can hope for – and be grateful for.

As duly noted above, lucky for me …

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