~Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ~ Phillipians 2:4

I enjoyed your article, however I believe there is an important component missing that should be included.

Although I too have always used the “toolbox” metaphor in training and life in general, I have yet another perspective to add to the mix. Even more important than the tools in your toolbox is the mind that guides their use. I try and instill in every coach and athlete I work with this fundamental concept – The thing Has No Power!

A tool only has a set of given properties or potential, but has no power to do anything on its own until it is acted upon by the user. In the right hands a hammer can be used to build something wonderful or destroy something beautiful – the hammer is indifferent. If we replace hammer with foam roller we have the same dynamic. That foam roller does nothing towards addressing restrictions through myofascial release when a group of young athletes use them as props to drape their bodies over as they socialize before practice. Daily I see foam roller use that is not grounded in any kind of guiding principle of correct use in context of a desired outcome or meeting athletic development objectives.

The power for change and meeting athletic development objectives is not in the “thing”, the tool, but in the application of the tool. Having a tool box with a wide assortment of tools is handy, but useless without the proper engine to drive its correct use – your mind.

There are 2 criteria that need to be met. First, picking the right tool for the job and second, the ability to correctly use the tool to achieve a given outcome. Both are dependent on one’s intention and guiding principles. For example, I use models to assess and develop athletes. As such all tool choices and their application are rooted in the guiding principles of these models. These guiding principles include the laws of motion and the primary principle of electricity.

Models are very powerful in that they guide one in the rules of a process or “how” to do something correctly, rather than exactly “what” to do. A sound model of athletic development will help guide both tool choice and how it should be best applied. A model provides a solid framework to guide your thought process, while allowing for infinite flexibility in its application.

The Scientific Model/Method is one such example. One set of rules which guide us in the correct method of how to conduct valid experiments. It makes no difference what the nature of the experiment is; or your location, objectives, experience, education, ego, etc. One set of variables covers all experiment process needs. It doesn’t matter what tools you use, or what your objectives are, simply follow the rules in the Scientific Model/Method and you will have a framework for conducting a valid experiment.

I like to test my thought processes outside of the specific issue and industry to gain universal perspective, which helps with objectivity for all parties involved. The more areas of life that I can correctly apply my thought process to, the more confident I am in its value and validity. This is similar to the scientific community moving from hypothesis to theory to laws. The more a given phenomenon is tested under increasingly varied circumstances and found to be true, the closer it is to becoming a law – like gravity. I usually feel more confident when I can say, ‘the nature of what we are discussing applies to all areas of life, at the moment we just happen to be focusing on and applying it to one specific area of life – physical development.’

With this in mind…
Union carpenters receive the same training and mostly carry the same tools. So why does one use his tools and build something strong and attractive that meets my objectives in every way, while another carpenter using the same tools build something weak and unattractive that does not at all meet my objectives? Since the training and tools are the same, it can only be “how” that carpenter’s mind applies his training and application of his tools which determine whether he produces something good or bad. Two artists with the same training using the same paints, brushes, canvas, etc can produce vastly different results as their actions are guided by whatever principles exist in their hearts and minds.

Now replace carpenter with physician, attorney, architect, accountant, electrician, mechanic, engineer, programmer, landscaper, realtor, coach, trainer, teacher or chef and we get the same results – some are great while some are awful.

The tools in your toolbox are important, but more important still is the engine that drives the tool. The thing Has No Power – You Do!

Thank You.

For the best in Boston area sports and personal training go to http://www.bodybyboyle.com. For the best in performance enhancement information go to http://www.strengthcoach.com MBSC was recently named one of America’s Top Gyms By Men’s Health Magazine and was voted Boston’s best personal trainers for 2011.

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I always look forward to reading your articles.

Rick Kaselj
Exercises For Injuries