My Biggest Lesson from Ping-Pong
Summary
- I like ping pong because it puts me in a flow state.
- In that state, you can only focus on the ball, and everything else disappears.
- Lifting weights gives me a similar feeling.
- I learned from an old-time lifter, Dave Tate, who talked about going into the void.
- Dave Tate said, when his father died, lifting weights helped him by making the world go quiet.
- With heavy weights, like 1,000 pounds on your back, you have to focus intensely, or you could seriously injure yourself.
Video
How To Take Action
I would suggest implementing simple activities that put you in a flow state. These can help you focus deeply and improve your performance in work or personal tasks. Start with something accessible like ping pong or lifting weights. If you don’t have access to a gym, try at-home exercises with body weight or affordable equipment.
A good way of doing this is by setting aside regular time for these activities. Just 15-30 minutes a day can make a huge difference. This consistency will help you enter the flow state more easily and carry that focus into other parts of your life.
Another strategy is incorporating mindfulness or meditation. These practices are low-cost and require minimal time but can significantly enhance your ability to concentrate and stay present. Apps or online videos can guide you through these exercises, making them easy to start.
To bring the feeling of intense focus into your business or entrepreneurial activities, create an environment where you can work uninterrupted, even if just for short bursts. Turn off notifications, use noise-canceling headphones, or find a quiet space. This reduces distractions and helps you become more productive.
Lastly, learning from others' experiences, like Dave Tate’s story about lifting weights to manage his grief, can be powerful. Reflect on your motivations and what activities give you a similar sense of clarity. This self-awareness can guide you in choosing the right activities to enhance your personal and professional growth.
Full Transcript
what do you like about ping pong what's the appeal of it low State baby yeah it's 100% that you can't focus on anything besides the ball everything else disappears what do you get out of that I would say the same thing is true for Lifting for me an old time lifter Dave Tate used to talk about he wrote this kind of like epic blog post on he called going into the void so he said when his father died he um like the thing that he would look forward to most was like getting under the bar because like during those few seconds where he had like his life literally like on his back cuz if you it up with 1,000 lbs on your back like you'll just break your back he's like it was like the world went quiet and I think that's that's what I like the most
