Bodybuilding Articles : Develop a “Tank” Mentality

Life presents us with obstacles and opportunities all the time as we work to achieve our goals. That is just a matter of fact and you have to be able to take the downs in stride as well as the ups.

It may not always be an easy road but with a strong commitment to your dreams and unyielding determination you will be able to take whatever life throws at you and keep driving forward.

Sometimes I mention having a Tank mind set or Tank mentality. Originally I didn’t put to much thought into using a Tank as a symbol, I was merely trying to illustrate the point that you must have the mental capabilities to keep moving forward towards your goals no matter what.

The image that came to my mind was a Tank. I could picture this huge machine rolling forward over any terrain and crushing all obstacles. I envisioned a monstrous vehicle all scraped up and dented from various battles but still moving forward with a pace that is steady and unstoppable.

“…You must have the ability to keep edging forward no matter what. You have to be able to take anything life throws at you and have the perseverance to keep getting your job done every day.

Everyone will face challenges along the way to a goal. That is just life and life isn't always pretty. You have to be able to let the bombs hit all around you but when the smoke clears, your tank better have kept moving forward. That is how the job gets done, day in and day out. It is through that kind of unstoppable consistency that great things are accomplished.”

- 2001 Team Universe Daily Training Journal

Little did I know when I wrote that excerpt, the Tank symbol would stick. As the show got closer, more and more people started to reference it so I continued to use the Tank example throughout my preparation and still use it today.

So when I speak about being a Tank or “Tanking it out”, I am not really talking about anything physical, I am speaking about creating an unyielding “Tank-like” mentality that keeps you moving forward towards your goals no matter what.

The more connected and committed you are to what you want to accomplish, the more you will be able to adopt this type of mind set. If you are not clear with your goals or your level of commitment is not high it will be very hard to handle the down times without getting stopped in your tracks. That is why a lot of people give up before they come close to realizing their potential. They fail to persevere.

There is nothing wrong with setting outrageous standards for yourself or biting off a little more than you’re sure if you can chew. People may question you but that is fine. In fact, it is those types of questions regarding the possibilities of what I can do that keep me moving forward and keep me striving to go beyond what people feel is possible.

I am not saying it is always easy to reach for such lofty goals or that there are not periods of self doubt. Experiencing emotions like fear and self doubt is all a part of being human but that is when you have to keep a strong commitment to your dreams and drive on with unwavering determination.

Working to live up to what others may see as outrageous standards only stands to make you better. Keep your sights zeroed in on what you want to achieve and keep moving forward with persistence and the unstoppable momentum of a Tank.

In the end, you’ll be better off then when you started no matter what the outcome because you stayed true to yourself and your dreams, regardless of what anyone thought or any obstacles that presented themselves along the way.