There is another facet to this article called 'Enjoy what you do'. I mentioned the different types of athletes that I know or have met. I have competed in powerlifting since 1996. Over my years in the sport I have met people who compete for all the wrong reasons: collecting trophies to boost ego, trying to get another record even if it's not a personal best lift, or simply trying to beat someone else in a contest. The only reasons I see for competing in strength sports should be: (1) because you enjoy the training and (2) you are attempting to better yourself (obtain new personal best lifts or times). The only exception to reason number (2) would be that you are past your strongest years, and are simply competing because it motivates you to train hard.

Bodybuilding should be the same way. But more and more I see local level bodybuilders cutting each other down behind each other's backs. People aren't supporting each other and making it a positive, uplifting experience for all. I feel like saying to some of these people: 'Why are you even doing this?' Whether it's bodybuilding, powerlifting or strongman, competing should be done in a mature manner. It's always important to treat your competitors with respect. I have met some stuck up egoed-out competitors in the past, but I've also met some very humble competitors as well. It's the ones who are humble and respectful that I remember, and I have the utmost respect for them as well.

So the main idea to 'Enjoy what you do' lies in keeping the training and competing fun. If you find yourself becoming negative in your sport, take a good look at what you're doing that's made it a negative experience for you. Are you placing too much emphasis on winning? Are you pushing yourself too hard and expecting too much in too short a time? As a good friend of mine once told me:

The contest is only one day. You should spend the rest of your life training to be your best.

      There will always be setbacks on the road to your goals. There's no way to avoid these setbacks, but you can't let that stop you. Learn from the bad days, get something positive out of them, and keep moving forward. There's no point in feeling bad for yourself. It's easy to sit around and say 'woe is me, I'm having a bad day.' You can spend a lot of time feeling sorry for yourself, a lot of people do, but every minute of the day that you spend doing that, you're losing precious time that you can never get back again. If you're in a negative state of mind, get out of it. Spend that time thinking about your goals and how you're going to get to them. What's the next step? Since it's lots of little steps to the big goal - think - what's the next little step? When you encounter a setback, maybe you need to revise your next little step. What can you do today to get past that setback and get back on track to your goals?It's easy to lose faith in yourself and wonder if you are really capable of achieving your goals. But whenever doubt enters your mind, let it go. Recall all that you've accomplished that you never dreamed possible in the past. The path to your goals is never easy, nor should it be. The harder you work towards something, the more it will mean to you when you finally get there.

      The most important thing is to never lose faith in yourself. You can do it. The only way you're going to make it to your goals is by first believing in yourself. And remember that setbacks don't just happen to the amateurs. Even the greatest champions have setbacks, but obviously they don't let that stop them. You can become a champion if you have the right attitude and the right state of mind. It's easy to stop trying. Look at how many people never even start! You have the ability to separate yourself from the average person. Most people don't have goals and don't care. Little effort returns little reward, but great effort put into a goal gives immeasurable returns. It's always worth the effort.

YOUR CROSS
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain
There will always be sunshine after the rain.

  THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ACHIEVE MUCH
  ARE THOSE WHO WANT KNOWLEDGE SO BADLY
  THAT THEY SEEK IT WHILE CONDITIONS ARE STILL UNFAVORABLE.
  FAVORABLE CONDITIONS NEVER COME.

  Lewis was good friends with J.R.R. Tolkien and it's common knowledge that he encouraged Tolkien to finish 'Lord of the Rings' when Tolkien was discouraged and unwilling to finish the trilogy.