The RANT

Weak-Ass John vs. Kick-Ass John

Thursday, 8:34pm
Reno, NV
“Bluto’s right. Psychotic, but absolutely right.” — Otter, rallying the frat.

Howdy…

Remember the scene in “Animal House” where Larry’s (nicknamed “Pinto”) date has passed out… and while he’s deciding what to do next, a little angel and a little devil appear on each shoulder, offering radically opposite advice?

That’s a funny scene… and yet the genesis of that image comes via thousands of years of intense intellectual thought about the duality of our nature.

The whole concept of good and evil… and how those dichotomies play out in the art-house theater of our soul… has obsessed us ever since our most remote ancestor had a greedy thought, and suddenly felt a twang of conscience over it.

That visual image of the devil and angel on each shoulder goes waaaaaay back, to the earliest cultures we know about. It’s a fundamental element of all religion, but also the foundation of all secular philosophical theory.

I’m thinking about all this high-minded shit, because I’m in the home stretch of my 21-Day Challenge. (For newbies, a few weeks ago I blogged on the concept that it takes 21 days to form new habits, and eliminate bad ones… and several folks joined me in tackling one habit over the next 3 weeks. We’re almost there.) (My personal challenge is to eliminate snack chips and crackers — I’m a carbo-freak, and all those Fritos and Saltines have jacked my cholesterol up to dizzy levels.) (Check the comments to see what others are attempting to face down.)

I’ve done this habit-change thing many times before, and I know the peculiar feeling that arrives when sweet victory is near. I know I’m “there”, because I almost slipped up last night (Michele had left a bag of tortilla chips on the counter, and they were whispering to me like evil little Sirens)… and I had a moment just like Larry.

On one shoulder was Weak-Ass John, dying to dive into that bag of chips and gorge. Oh, please, please, please, PLEASE! What harm could a few chips do, huh? Just one or two, c’mon, you wuss, you know you want it!

And on the other shoulder was Kick-Ass John, resolute and very adult about consequences and discipline and all that. Just move away slowly, dude. The craving will pass… and so what if it doesn’t? You took a vow to stay away from that shit, and you gain nothing by giving in…

Yeah, I’m a little schitzo like that. Conversations in my head that go on and on and on, arguing the finer points of righteousness versus indulgence.

Keeps things interesting, I’ll tell you what.

Anyway, early in my Challenge, I succumbed to Weak-Ass John’s dastardly desires, and ate a handful of carb-loaded crackers late one night. I was like a junkie who just scored. But I didn’t descend entirely into a carb orgy, like Weak-Ass was voting for… and I accepted my lapse, threw the rest of the offensive crackers away, and got back into resistance mode.

This time, last night, Weak-Ass literally got pounded by Kick-Ass John. The urge to gorge lit up my system like a flare, and the rationalizations for giving in swirled around my head like the most rational argument I’d ever heard. Of course it’s okay to eat chips. Carbs are good. Chips have gotta have some nutritional value, and there’s nothing else in the house that will quell these horrendous hunger pangs, and…

And it all melted away like vapor under a simple appearance by Kick-Ass. “Nope,” he said, snarling. “Not gonna give in. Not on my watch.”

Dude was scary.

And the craving left.

That’s how I know I’m in the home stretch. It hasn’t even been a full 21 days, and I’ve morphed into a guy who doesn’t eat chips. I left the bag on the counter, and just shined it on.

It’s a victory.

The last time I did this kind of challenge in a big way was decades ago, when I quit smoking (for the final time). The point of real change came when I stopped saying “I’m quitting smoking” to myself and others… and, instead, said “I don’t smoke.” And meant it.

There’s a difference. A guy who’s “quitting” (or, worse, “trying” to quit) is still in the act of “being” a smoker. He smokes, but he’s forcing himself to stop. It’s a battle.

Most people lose, too. That’s well known.

For me, that moment of Zen calm — when I realized I’d become a guy who didn’t smoke — was a watershed event. Trying to quit doing something is like “trying” to eat a sandwich — you’re either eating, or not. You’re either a guy with a mouthful of food, or you’re doing something else.

Cortez, the conquistador, knew this lesson well. He landed his mini-army on the Central American coast, and didn’t bother giving any big speeches about victory. He just burned the ships, so the only choice left for his men was to go forward and conquer, or die.

They weren’t fresh off the boat anymore, trying to get into the swing of being conquerors.

There weren’t any boats. Their identity was without mushy boundaries, very distinct and specific.

Whatever you think about the gruesome conquest of the Americas by Europe’s finest self-righteous butchers, the lesson is a good one. You kick ass, or you get kicked. (By your own weak-assed self, too. Humiliating.)

In my own case, the differences between the two John’s on my shoulders helps me understand a LOT about human nature and behavior.

Depending on who’s in charge, your world-view can go waaaaaay off-course.

Here’s how I map it out:

Weak-Ass is actually the stronger of the two, initially. He’s the default mode in the human system — untrained people will always go for the easy way out, the quick gratification, the instant satisfaction… and damn the consequences.

He thrives without obvious sustenance for the life of the host, too (kinda like cockroaches and weeds and viruses). And he cannot be killed — only wrestled into submission, where he will stay put only as long as you keep him nailed down.

He requires no invitation to take over any situation. He loves the absence of discipline.

Bottom line: He’s the worst sort of opportunist… waiting patiently until your defenses are down, and relentless about trying different and new ways of attacking your efforts to rise above zombie-behavior.

Kick-Ass, oddly, is almost a direct opposite. At peak power, he is a wonder to behold.

But he’s like a rare plant that requires constant nurturing and attention. He shrivels to nothing quickly and easily.

He will not do anything without a direct invitation. He needs constant monitering, and arrives almost as a blank slate requiring complete programming from scratch.

In short… he’s a hard dude to groom, and you can’t relax even after he’s wrested the controls away from Weak-Ass.

It’s no use wishing this situation were otherwise.

It is what it is.

And it’s the main plot in every good story you’ve ever heard. It’s the stuff of choices, opportunities lost, bad decisions, lucky breaks, chance encounters and all rollicking adventures.

This “always at risk of doing the wrong thing” element of being human isn’t something to rue. It’s just another tool in your belt as you strive to make better decisions, and recognize opportunity, and jump on lucky breaks, and embrace the never-ending adventure of a life well-lived.

Weak-Ass wants to slack off and zombie-out. Kick-Ass won’t get involved until you buck up and activate him.

So… how’s your 21-Day Challenge going?

I’m pulling for you. The good part is… if you lose, just gather yourself and get back after it.

That’s what your Kick-Ass self wants to do. That’s what he’s built for. But he can’t do it alone.

Stay frosty,

John Carlton
www.marketingrebel.com

P.S. Wait — here’s another example.

Over a month ago, I began trying to get ahold of an old friend by phone. I’ve known this guy since kindergarten, and we’ve never been out of touch our entire lives… though we seldom talk more than once or twice a year.

This time, however, I had a reason to talk with him other than just to catch up. I had a pressing question that was right up his professional alley… and all I needed was five minutes on the phone with him.

So I left a message. Then another. And another. And then a new message with his secretary at work.

Weeks passed, and I knew he hadn’t died, because his secretary told me he was just “out” whenver I called.

I got pissed off. Started leaving forceful messages on his cell phone. Called a mutual friend, and whined that this could be the end of our friendship — if the dude couldn’t muster five minutes to call me back, then that was a deal-killer for the friendship in my book.

This was Weak-Ass John being out of control. Putting the worst possible spin on the situation, and ready to end a fifty-year friendship over a perceived slight.

Luckily, I finally tried email. And got a reply in less than an hour.

The dude had been in Khazakstan, for crying out loud, in December. Had a great time (no, he didn’t meet Borat), but picked up a bug, and was under doctor’s care while sprewing from every orifice. He was gonna live — it wasn’t anything too exotic for an intense program of fluids and rest and antibiotics to fix — but he hadn’t had the energy to check his phone messages for a month.

I felt like Mr. Dipshit. And I’d wasted how much energy being pissed off over the last few weeks?

In my email, in fact, Weak-Ass had written in a threat about ending the friendship. Kick-Ass, fortunately, deleted it before I sent the thing… I was giving it one last college try, in my mind. No need to be too pissy about it.

I’m not down on myself for this. It’s human nature to act like a freak half the time.

The trick is to learn to recognize it early, and have the tools to do better. Forgive yourself, but don’t let Weak-Ass slide. Lock the bastard back up, and pay a little focused attention to Kick-Ass, so he gets stronger.

It’s an ongoing battle. Devil versus angel.

What’s your take on all this? Any insight I missed?

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15 comments
John says February 14, 2008

Hi John,

nice rant!

yea, here’s a comment – or wisecrack, depending on your perspective – hopefully from my own “Kick-Ass John” …

The brain only hard-wires a change after it experiences it to be relevant. This means it takes a real live feeling to go along with the insight or intention, for it to move from good-idea to good-action.

Those cravings? The bad habits? Go easy on them: they all started off as a good intention in the first place. In fact, I’ll bet they really helped you out at some stage in your journey to become who you are today. It’s just that you don’t need them any more, they’re obsolete.

Most people I talk to who have changed a longstanding habit – and it’s certainly been my experience – share about a moment where they suddenly became aware of the downsides of the habit, and half way through “trying” to kick it, hit a new moment where they actually feel better, where they realise that they no longer need to do the habit in order to trigger the feeling they’ve been using it to create. From that moment it’s all downhill, and easy.

So the good news is, it doesn’t have to be hard … becoming aware of all the messages our body is giving us can often be all it takes … and that can happen at any moment. Granted that often some sort of process can help us to reach that point, but without the moment of clarity self-discipline alone is a tough way to make a change.

(another) John

Reply
Bernie says February 14, 2008

Nice post and very insightful.

If you get a chance, check Robert Fritz’s “Path of Least Resistance”. As a mucisician I think you’ll like it because Fritz is also a musician and composer who has applied music and compositional theory to human motivation.

The basic premise is like water, people follow the path of least resistance in our lives.

In the beginning it is easier (less resistant) for you to eat the chips and crackers. As you develop a new habit, you actually change the underlying structural pattern in your life, to where it is easier to avoid the chips and crackers.

Most people merely react and respond to situations, but by exercising your choice, you actually realign your internal mechanisms to where you are no longer a creature of habit.

Headed into the home strecth on my exercise program. I have missed a few days here and there but where in the beginning it was an effort to get started, now I am looking forward to it, and it is it takes more effort to avoid doing them.

Cheers!

Bernie

Reply
the way we were by default | News trend world says February 15, 2008

[…] Weak-Ass John vs. Kick-Ass John […]

Reply
Ken Petersen says February 15, 2008

John,
Great Blog. The points were driven home, even as Weak-ass Ken attempted to push pure logic away for the easy way out.
Fortunately Kick – ass Ken has been on an ego trip for the past few months, haven tackled the smoking ritual with a vengence.
Yes its true, Kick ass had stopped smoking and has become a non- smoker ! (Over 4 months now). Buttt….with the help of the miracle quit smoking aid, Chantix. The substitution of one”vice” for another is generally the easy way out, alcoholics use coffee and people( AA), heavier drugs have lesser drugs to weine you off. ( Heroin to Methodone). I had Chantix.
Last week Chantix officially made the “possible to have mind altering episodes” list of drugs, and has been blamed for depression and suicide thoughts. Wow. Sooo Kick-ass Ken kicked in once again, and overpowered weak-ass Ken on this matter and I can now say I am a non chantix person! wow, no smokes no chantix, and no tootsie roll pops!

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Matt H says February 15, 2008

Nice post John. That was THE perfect way to start a Friday morning.

I think it is very helpful to understand the role consciousness plays in this.

It’s the little wake-up that tells you you have a choice. And it can even HELP your chances of making the right choice if you take it further than “OK, what should I do?”

I like to bring the whole situation to light…

To examine every part and parcel of both the thought and feeling that’s leading you down the “wrong” road at first. This, in itself, is transformative.

From here you can ask yourself new questions, like “How would someone who DOESN’T binge on carbs feel right now?” and then “How can I easily adopt that position/identity?” or “How can I reset my inner programs to not even have to make the choice in the first place?”

Your post gets into these “explorations” (ie. your smoking example), and it’s very helpful (it’s exactly how I cleared up a whole mess of personal problems and addictions).

Though I’m sure they can be expanded even further.

But alas, I thank you for the reflections. I must get back to my 21-day challenge 🙂

MattDub.

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Louis Burns says February 15, 2008

If you get a really persistent weak ass voice going you could always cheat and use NLP.

Take that bothersome voice and give it a new sound that amuses you. Something more like Donald Duck or the priest from Princess Bride (“Mawage is wat bwings us togewa tuday…”).

Run that internal temptation or criticism through a new voice several times and it won’t have as much power over you because you’ll be laughing at it. And then you’ll be wondering where the old one went. Guess it can’t take a joke.

Louis

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john-carlton says February 15, 2008

Good stuff, Louis. If we’re gonna admit we’ve got different voices going on in our heads at all times, might as well take advantage of NLP tactics and morph the message.

I’ve already assigned Weak-Ass the trembly, high-pitched, impotent voice of Truman Capote.

His urgent pleas to indulge in unhealthy stuff now sound hilarious, like a kid suggesting to a room of grown-ups that we all go up on the roof and fly to the moon. It’s kinda cute, even.

Thanks for the tip.

John

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Steve Markowski says February 16, 2008

Weak-ass/Kick-ass … the dude can tell a story!

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Udo says February 16, 2008

The kick-ass rants and the weak-ass raves,
or is it the other way around?

Yet when the day is over, in the end, (puns intended)
it’s still the ass who holds the ground 😀

Isn’t the human race grand! hehehe

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sterling | bizlift says February 17, 2008

Go Kick-Ass John! I liked the example with your longtime friend.

It’s wonderful to see other business blogs with a “Kick Ass” mindset.

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John Matterson says February 18, 2008

Hey John,

Another Great post…

Another way to look at this scenario is:
the small self vs. Self (note the capital S).

This is a common way to view it
In spiritual (not religious) circles.

Essentially, it’s your weak-ass, ego-driven
smaller self against your kick-ass, spiritually-driven
Big Self.

A key revelation that helped me deal with my weak-ass
self is… that the ego-driven side of our minds WAS
necessary to survive (back in the cave man days).
And of course, it’s still “in there” and that’s PERFECTLY
FINE.

I see it more like a pet… like a dog who’s always looking
for a treat…

And more importantly: I always try to consult with my
Self before I make a decision (which is easier said than done).

Rock on…
John M.

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Jeff says February 19, 2008

Great post John. It sounds like you’re a Gemini?

Who came up with this 21 day (3 weeks) thing? I often hear people say that if you can stop something for 3 weeks then your cravings stop. I’ve also heard that’s how long it takes nicotine to leave your body.

Anyhow, I’ve quit smoking this year as one of my new years resolutions. One thing that really helped was replacing smoking with actually juicing. If I feel like smoking I go and make a tall glass of freshly juiced juice or vegetables. It has totally worked.

Maybe you can replace eating crappy chips with juice? See if that works. Replace your craving with something better.

Peace.

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mooohahahahaa! says August 22, 2009

Evil Genius speaking….

I found a un-tapped market that will make me millions moohahaha!

I’m gonna attack it’s ass hard.

I’ve already written my “mind control” direct mail piece in my head. From Pre-head down to the last P.S.

It’s been nice knowing you losers….I’m finally gonna be above the law HAHAHA

Reply
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