Commitment

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was ‘involved,’ and the pig was ‘committed.’”

-Unknown

I totally won an award in a carshow this weekend.

I decided that since this was the first time that I purchased and owned a really nice car with my own money that it would be fun to take it to a car show. There is an internet forum called Acurazine that I have been a member of since I was researching an Acura to buy. Well, they had a national meet in Kansas City and I decided that I wanted to see how the Silver Bullet would do.

Of course, I would need to make her presentable. I enlisted the help of a co-worker (Thanks, Jeremy!) who rebuilds old cars as a hobby. He advised me on how to shop for the waxing kits, including clay bars, detailer, the wax (obviously) and how to apply all of these various products. Then we had the lesson on how to do the wheels and tires.

This starts Friday when Jeremy comes over to talk to me about how clay-barring works. We did that first, then used detailer to take all of the clay off. The next day, I waxed and waxed and waxed. I believe I may have damaged a nerve in my arm from all of the waxing, as the fingers in my right hand are still quite numb…

It was Sunday morning when I took the car to the actual show, but not before vacuuming her out and cleaning all of the glass. There, I did the tires and wheels. (It would have been meaningless to do that before putting her on the highway to get to the show in the first place…)

By my estimates, I spent 10 hours on the car. It was ridiculous. Then again, I wanted to have the best looking car there. Beings that I now have a plaque sitting on my desk, I suppose my goal was achieved.

Contrast this weekend with this morning. Not being satisfied with results thus far, I enlisted the help of a personal trainer to kick my butt into the shape that I’ve wanted to be in for over a year now. Last time, we talked about what my goals were and my commitment level to achieving those goals. This morning, Javier pulled up my log…

“So, I was looking at how often you come to the gym…”

Uh oh. Apparently twice a week doesn’t cut it. (Nor will it cut my gut)

In talking about what would be necessary in order for me to “look good naked,” (My primary goal… don’t judge.) I was forewarned that much more effort would be required, both in terms of attendance and in terms of diet. Based upon what exercises I am able to complete, it would seem as though decent amounts of muscle tone are there, but I need to drop 10 pounds in order to see any of it. (Body fat percentage is at 14.7%. The goal would be closer to 12%.)

He tells me that if I really commit to it, I can be toned and see awesome results in as little as two months. I’m also assured that the current course will never get me there.

Amazing, isn’t it? How is it that I can decide one weekend I’m going to win a car meet and yet in almost two years’ time I’ve not done what needs to be done to get me to look the way I want to look? Clearly, the level of commitment to one differs from the other. So, thus, do the results. My car looks better than I do. (Admittedly, both are shiny. I guess I should work on that tan, too…)

Perhaps if you want something so badly you should first evaluate the amount of effort you are going to spend to get it. It’s not enough to be involved. You have to commit.

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!