Yoda is Right
by Erik Castiglione

Spoiler alert: This post is riddled with Empire references and Yoda quotes.

In this iconic clip from The Empire Strikes Back, Luke is filled with self-doubt when Yoda tells him to use The Force to lift his X-Wing out of the swamp. Believing it to be impossible, he says “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”  Does this sound like you before a new 1 rep max attempt, or some other difficult feat? Have you ever been intimidated by the weight, and said “I’ll try it”? Well, STOP IT. The good old college try is dead.

Does this sound harsh? Well, it is, because Jedi CrossFit training is hard. It’s supposed to be, because nothing worthwhile ever comes easy, including fitness. The greater the effort, the sweeter the reward. Ok, enough of the clichéd aphorisms, and back to the subject of “trying.”

When you say “I’ll try”, you are still allowing self-doubt a place in your mind. In essence, you are giving yourself permission to fail. If you miss the lift, it’s ok because “I tried.” I’m here to tell you that you will be more successful if you change your mindset. Stop giving yourself an out. Instead of thinking “I’ll TRY it”, tell yourself “I’m going to DO this.” Make yourself believe it. Fight back the self-doubt, make a mental commitment, and go. After employing this Jedi Mind Trick, you will be amazed to find that you are capable of more than you ever thought. Don’t believe it? “That is why you fail.”

On the flip side, if you miss after all of this, you will be upset. This is part of the reason we like to give ourselves an out, to avoid this disappointment. Instead of avoiding it, use it as fuel to motivate yourself further. Missed a PR snatch today? Lessen the weight, end on a successful lift, come back and get it another day. Training is an ongoing process; it never ends. Keep the big picture in mind, keep progressing, and always remember: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Yoda is right.

This article talks about what to do. In next week’s article we’ll explore some strategies to help you figure out HOW to change your mindset.