Why You Need Isolation In The Pursuit Of Greatness

Prepare for isolation. Some of the best creations happen in isolation. The public eye only sees the finished product. They don’t see the behind the scenes stuff, AND THEY SHOULDN’T. There’s mystique when you are working and nobody is watching. It’s also a test of self-motivation and strength. Are you willing to go into that journey alone?

Time doesn’t exist in isolation. It gives you the ability to pay attention to detail. You’re chasing perfection even though it can’t be caught. A wise someone once said, “chase perfection, catch excellence.”

Isolation is your sacred area. It’s your place of peace, your laboratory, your shelter, your temple. Enjoy these moments of true freedom. In the public eye, you will be seen as crazy and maniacal. In the world of greatness, it’s normal. There’s a certain aura that surrounds the greats, they do what seems “impossible”

Isolation is good, that’s where you grow. It’s always calming and relaxing. You get away from the noise of the world and get some alone time with you and your thoughts.

Being alone in the gym is your free time. The noise surrounds you but it’s not bothering you. Former pro boxer Marvin Hagler used to train for his fights in isolation. He would train in Cape Cod at the Provincetown Inn. Hagler trained in the Cape in the cold winter months before it became a tourist spot. He ran, boxed, and put himself in a self-imposed prison when he wasn’t doing one of the two. Hagler said that Isolation kept him from being complacent. Hagler was the epitome of the word Dedication. He went to great lengths to be a great boxer and a champion.

Isolation can be lonely but it’s necessary. Why? Because you see what you’re made of and you see how mentally strong you are. When you’ve reached that limit in training, who is going to push you? Only you can do that! There are no excuses in isolation. There’s no one to blame, there’s no one to point fingers at, it’s just you and your mind. No one is there to tell you to keep going. Can you push your boundaries? Or will you give in to your excuses?

The beauty of isolation is that these are personal battles that you fight in private (It’s not always good). But in this case, you won’t deal with fake pity or people egging you on or stroking your ego. This is you pushing yourself past your limits, where no matter how much encouragement you get or motivation you get from others, ONLY YOU can push your own barriers. Sure people can help you push past your barriers, but if you do it then it’s such a personal achievement because it’s you vs you. You are your biggest opponent, that’s why it’s gratifying.

The following is an excerpt from The All Around Basketball Book

My Podcast, Dishin Dimes With The Sportsman Episode 9 https://anchor.fm/DDWTSportsman/episodes/Episode-9-Marvin-Hagler-e32msa