I Like Myself

I had an iconic English teacher in high school: Mr. Pavlish.

He taught British Literature 1, British Literature 2, and College Writing at Shakopee High School. These were demanding classes, but the most rigorous was College Writing. The most motivated, intelligent student would receive the graded and corrected version of the first essay of the trimester back from Mr. Pavlish, and it would be covered in red pen, with a grade that was far lower than anything they had received in any previous coursework. Every student was in shock.

Pavlish was a dynamic lecturer (I can still do a pretty good impersonation) and a brutally tough grader. He was a master of his craft. You wanted to be in his classroom—most of the time.

Give Your Best

When you wrote a paper for Pavlish, you poured your heart and soul into it. Whatever kind of student you were, you elevated your performance and effort for his class.

But Pavlish had a quirk.

Just before you submitted your paper, at the bottom of the page, you had to write:

"I like myself."

Why?

I think Pavlish wanted us to be proud of our effort. I also think he wanted to teach us something even more important: pour everything you have into the work, and once you've submitted it, let it go. The work is done. No need to ruminate or replay every decision in your head.

Do your best.

Be proud of the effort.

Onward.

The Same Lesson Applies to Strength Training

That mindset is a powerful metaphor for what happens in the gym.

We show up.

One rep at a time.

One set at a time.

We pour ourselves into the workout. We lift with control, pause to create tension, lower the weight slowly to maximize the benefit of the eccentric, and transition while trying to eliminate momentum.

Then we do it again.

And again.

Eventually, it becomes uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable. But we continue to push.

At the end of the workout, a few different things can happen. We improve on some exercises. We match previous performances on others. Occasionally, we even regress.

Those outcomes matter.

But something matters even more.

Success Isn't Always Measured by Performance

The best workout isn't always the one where every number goes up.

Sometimes success is simply knowing that you gave your best with the energy, focus, and strength you had that day.

If you can leave the workout convinced that you couldn't have given more, you've done something worthwhile—regardless of what the logbook says.

And if that's the case, maybe we should all say to ourselves (or out loud):

"I like myself."

Note: Mr. Pavlish passed away this past March, far too young. His lessons extended well beyond writing. I'm grateful to have been one of his students, and I'm certain that in his final hour, he could honestly assert:

"I like myself."