The Winter Warrior by G Diesel
The Winter Solstice arrives right on time, with a committed few amongst us already locked in and leaning into our goals and ambitions. With the arrival of the shortest day of the year, each day that follows will allow a little more light into our lives. During these dark days, let the fire of the flames within you be a torch that leads the way for others. This fourth volume is not a selection of tips and techniques, but instead a collection of the abstract concepts that when internalized are capable of transforming a regular man into a “Winter Warrior”. This is your moment. You chose the path less traveled, know in your heart that will make all the difference.
Discipline
Motivation is fleeting. It wanes over time. You will not always be a “house on fire” burning with inspiration to fuel your pursuits. Some days you feel weak or disinterested, depressed and unmotivated. Some days you don’t feel like yourself. Some days it would be much easier to be an “average Joe”. But that is a fate unacceptable to an individual like you. In the instances where motivation is lacking, your discipline must hold you accountable. To remain regimented and do what you expect of yourself, will require uncommon discipline, the kind that is only developed through consistently doing what you must, whether you or not you feel like it at a given time.
Humility
There is always someone out there more advanced in your chosen field. Someone more accomplished, or with more knowledge. And even the superstars you idolize who dominate their vocation, were once rank amateurs, inexperienced and unsure. It is for this reason, that we must remain humble in our aspirations, putting the effort before the glory. I often think of the challenges of this enterprise, building a sports nutrition brand from the ground up. It can be quite daunting, a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Whenever someone would choose to purchase a GCode product with their hard-earned cash, I would be given pause. They chose our brand and our products among so many in the category. What a gesture of faith and support. One not to be taken for granted. It is an honor for which we must work every day to be worthy. In light of such a distinction, in a multi-billion dollar industry, one cannot help but to be humbly grateful, and all the more determined to continue to earn such esteem. There is so much mountain yet to be climbed, there is no choice but to remain humble. All the things we take for granted are the only things that matter. Life has a way of sending those reminders, so be sincerely grateful. Remain humble and hungry. Head down. Hoodie up. Locked in. And ready to work.
Teaching
The more you know, you realize that you actually know so little. Which is why so many of the world’s foremost experts are also quite humble—they are aware of the limitless knowledge yet to be attained and as such spend their entire life as students. The “masters” have done away with certainty and an arrogance that comes with thinking you “know it all”. Theirs is a life of endless intellectual curiosity. However, if you dedicate your life to learning and constantly honing your craft, it becomes incumbent upon you to also teach. In this way, we are each an “iron sensei” who teach the methods while also evangelizing on behalf of the subculture we love. See yourself as a guide and mentor, your duty to show the way.
Encouragement
The bigger your dreams, the more often you deal with doubt. It is unavoidable and everywhere. So when someone believes and lends support, it is appreciated, internalized and cherished in a manner that is sincere and significant. What a priceless gift to feel the faith of another, to know that someone else out there shares your vision. To “encourage” literally means to “infuse another with courage” to help them be brave enough to pursue their dreams and manifest the greatness that lives within us all. When the opportunity comes, especially this time of year, to put wind on another sailor’s sails and encourage them to push forward, seize it.
Brotherhood
My daughters pointed out a while back, how I so often refer to others I encounter as “brother”. An unconscious habit, one I had learned in my youth from my Pops and reinforced daily over the years to the point I was almost totally unaware of its personal prevalence. Meditating upon it, I now know it isn’t an accident. I use the word “brother” because I want you to know that we are connected, even as “strangers”—our well-being, our prosperity, our happiness on this planet, not unlike a sibling. I want you to know that what unites us far supersedes all that is used to divide us. I want you to know, in a more isolated world, that we are family. That you are not alone, and consequently, neither am I. Take every opportunity to show kindred kindness to those you encounter on life’s winding road—. Whether that is in the form of encouragement, generosity, mentoring or education, or just small random acts of decency, know that you are your brother’s keeper and act accordingly.
Respect
The iron teaches us respect. It is heavy and unyielding, capable of both building and destroying. It opens doors to opportunity and windows that allow us to explore within. It helps craft dignity and self-respect, fortifying identity and independence. The iron makes you respect strength and wield it cautiously. It teaches you about human capacity, lending itself to respect of others and all that which they are capable. It teaches you about self-actualization, the “alchemy” I so often speak of, that allows a regular person to deliberately build themselves into something better and stronger, one day at a time, by the power of their own will. Have respect for other cultures and people, respect for the Earth on which you live, respect for your own life and the inherent blessing of each new day. Treat others as you want to be treated. Show this respect and the world will show this respect onto you.
Optimism/Hope
The frigid darkness of the Winter Solstice can often impact a person’s worldview. Seasonal Affective Disorder is quite literally a form of clinical depression created in the Autumn and Winter by a lack of light. As such, in these seemingly less than ideal conditions where some of us fight to thrive, others feel despair. It is in these instances that we must spread hope and positivity, quite literally being “the light” for others who find themselves in darkness. This is not merely a phenomenon pertinent to a specific time of year, this must be our role in day-to-day life, even on the days when we feel like we need someone to pick us up. It gives us tremendous purpose to be a bold source of good energy for those in need of the illumination living within. Let others know that you’re there and that you believe in them, that you can relate and that their situation will improve. Be a hope dealer in an all too often negative world.
Patience
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was I. Neither was anything great. But we all feel the pressure—the anxiousness that comes with knowing how much work is still to be done. Having a clear sense of our goals, the waiting can be frustrating. But I fundamentally believe in the “aggregation of marginal gains”, of slowly stacking up the wins and the progress, day after day in a manner that is almost imperceptible on a micro level, but over time adds up to something massive. Good things come to those who wait is a bit of a misnomer. Good things will only come to those who will work hard and believe and be relentless. This good fortune must be seized. But it will take time. In this way, the quiet, mundane work of each day, and the slow-growing fruit of this labor will require a willingness to wait for the harvest. Be patient.
Purpose
Find your “why”. For so many of us, this can be both practical and abstract. Sometimes “why” is simply to take care of your family, to keep the lights on. Other times, “why” might be about more epic themes like legacy or fulfilling your destiny. Why can even be rooted in somewhat “negative” urges like the need to prove yourself—maybe to yourself, maybe to those who doubted you. Proving someone wrong and making them eat their words can be one hell of a why. To truly reach your potential on this planet will require you to find your “why” and use that as a source of constant, driving motivation upon which you can draw. Big picture, the “why” that will sustain you, will be meaning bigger that just you—your ego, your petty wants and needs, and something that impacts the world more broadly. I often think back to the 15 year old version of myself—his hopes and expectations, and I try to see the world through his eyes. His youthful idealism holds me accountable. I want to make him proud.
Determination
“Destiny, over time, bends to the will of the determined man.” Within you is the capacity to “determine” your future and the trajectory of your life. To marry yourself to the daily process of slow, steady and incremental progress in the direction of your dreams, and to never relent in your pursuit, despite obstacles and setbacks takes uncommon determination. Adherence to your plan and your path, in the face of doubt and resistance requires true determination. This holiday season as we move into the New Year, I wish you ironclad determination in all your pursuits and the dogged will to build your dreams by hand. I am determined to do the same.
This is the path of “The Winter Warrior” one who sticks to the script and doesn’t lose sight of his goals and aspirations, even in the comforting warm glow of the holidays. When the world is peaceful and quiet, the Winter Warrior goes to work, relishing every opportunity to improve.
