Are you playing the long or the short game?

When people talk weightlifting it is inevitable that some bit of ego comes up. It is the nature of us to compare and try and best those who we consider our peers. I believe that as long as you maintain a bit of stoicism this is one of the greatest things in the world. You see without pressure there is no progress. Without someone or something nipping at your heals most of use fall victim to our own comforts and self "pats on the back." Without the fire that competition breeds within us there is no steam to drive the wheels there is only mediocrity. I doubt that anyone wants to be remembered for mediocrity.
The problem that arises is that we as weightlifters get consumed by it fairly easily. Because the feedback loop between our training and our performance is so fast we often fall victim to the, "I want it now because I deserve it now" mentality. A brief example to illustrate my point that I think every single one of us has been in. The program calls for say 85% you feel good and end up working at 92% for the whole set. Then the next exercise comes up on your program for the day and you aren't able to come within 15% of the prescribed numbers. But you were feeling so good, what happened? In my mind this is like reading the first chapter of a good book and then skipping to the last chapter and expecting to know the story. Granted that may work with something like Twilight or Pride and Prejudice. Not so much with real works of art like the Odyssey, or anything written by Emerson or Thoreau. The reason being is that the real flesh of what we do is not the beginning or the end but the work as a whole. Yes the big attempts and PR's are an end result but they are none existent without the intricate web of support that is gradually woven every single day you walk into the gym and decide to put your shoes on.
I suppose that weightlifting isn't skin deep but when all you do is chase training PR's that is what you make it. That is when you lose your vision and start playing the short game. This is akin to the genius that wins the lottery and is bankrupt the next year. I mean seriously how do you spend like 130 million in a year without being stoned for that whole year? So the question is do you seek the thrill of the moment or a lifetime?
I vote the thrill of a lifetime! When you are patient and trust the process your coach is putting you through, (assuming your coach is worth the air they are breathing and the money you're paying them) you are setting yourself up to have so much more than a skin deep experience with weightlifting. Your are setting yourself up to be one of he few with bones of iron and an indomitable spirit. Why? Because you are being "fleshed out" (pun intended) just like those great works of literary art that endure the test time. You earn your substance, and your confidence. You give everything and get much more in return. So next time you decide to try and throw up a new PR ask yourself, "Have I built a house to support this?." I pray that when you do ask the answer is a resounding YES for if it is there is nothing that can stop your success.