To this day, that month-long experience of a geology class at Yellowstone helped shape how I look at duration, time, patience, and longevity. That experience helped me apply the view of time to virtually all facets of life, including strength training.

We tend to go into things with fitness coach or trainer eyes. We need to start seeing through the clients’ eyes and thinking like they do. We need to relate to them. Once you do that, you can take them on a journey.

Two people see the same situation; one person sees the opportunity, and one person sees the obstacle. In order to overcome the obstacle, it takes a different perspective — a positive one.

In preparation for our next training session, I knew I needed the help of my coworkers. The next morning they all received the following email blast…

The lifting world is small — if I’m being generous, there are a couple hundred thousand of us. There are over 7 billion people on this planet. You are no one. How’s that for some perspective? If you haven’t noticed, I’m going to rant about the crap that annoys me.

Like any other coach, I love talking about training and programming and being in the weight room while coaching. But like many of you, I’ve neglected the thing between my ears, and I want you to know that it’s all right to feel. If your mental health is a weakness, don’t avoid it.

In this first part of the perspective series, I share five perspectives for you to consider as you make your initial steps into the journey that we call powerlifting.

Does your focus on the big training picture make you miss the details that can ensure your success?

To combat some of the relentless pace of being on the road, training must be a priority.

Life isn’t all about what happened…it is about how you view it.

To Adam, the answer hinges on perspective.