By Doug Strickel
I was in seventh grade when the first Rocky movie came out. I can still remember Rocky’s tough training workouts that included a raw egg drink. He was the picture of tough. I can still hear the music playing as he runs up those steps in Philadelphia.
That year was also the first time that I heard a football coach talk about toughness at every practice. Prior to seventh grade, I just thought tough was the guy getting in the most fights at school. I had my share of fights in sixth grade. I was still a relatively new kid in school, was angry with my parents’ divorce, and was determined not to back down from anyone.
That seventh-grade year was a real transition for me. I had just started taking steps to following Jesus as my savior and fighting didn’t seem like the right thing to do. I was turning my anger to determination. I was determined to not let my home circumstances limit what I could achieve.
My view of toughness was starting to change and has continued to change over the years. I can attempt to describe it, but I can guarantee you that I know it when I see it.
Toughness in a workout is:
- Pushing through a tough workout no matter how you feel
- Going out to that early morning workout no matter the conditions
- Doing “one more” than you did last week even when no one else cares
Toughness at work is:
- Showing up when things aren’t going well and the boss is all over you
- Seeing a problem through to resolution regardless of how challenging
- Doing the “right thing” even when it’s not popular or easy
Toughness with your health is:
- Grinding through another treatment even though you feel terrible
- Going for that test when you fear the results
- Maintaining discipline with your diet, meds, and activity
Toughness with a relationship is:
- Taking the initial step to restore a long-standing friendship
- Admitting you were wrong to ease the tension
- Asking hard questions if that’s what’s needed
Toughness with a commitment is:
- Pushing through to completion no matter how hard it is
- Staying focused no matter how many distractions occur
- Working through conflict to resolve obstacles
Toughness with uncertainty is:
- Staying engaged even when things look hopeless
- Taking the next step when the path isn’t clear
- Being willing to keep doing “one more” regardless of the results
It’s now apparent to me that toughness is found in the doing. We aren’t tough because we say we are, talk about it, or try to portray that image. Toughness is found in adversity and comes to light when things get hard.
Toughness isn’t about fighting but rather staying in the fight. Toughness isn’t about throwing a punch, but rather getting up after life hits us with a punch. Toughness isn’t about never getting hurt, but rather staying engaged when we are hurt.
If we are going to successfully navigate the challenges of life, we need to understand and develop toughness. We are all going to need it at some point.
Oh, I did do a few raw eggs back in the day. I don’t know if it made me tougher or not, but it sure made me appreciate them scrambled!
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