Be Like Water

Applying Bruce Lee’s Philosophy to Exercise

Bruce Lee’s saying, “Be like water,” is widely recognized, but many interpret it as advice for adapting to life’s challenges — shaping yourself to fit any situation. What if we applied this mindset to how we approach exercising?

The Motion of Water

Think about water for a second. Whether it’s a calm river meandering through the landscape or the fierce waves crashing against the shore, water is always moving. It never stays still. And, like water, your body is also in constant motion. Your heart pumps blood without you consciously thinking about it. Your lungs breathe in and out automatically. Your brain is firing and connecting neurons even when you’re not aware of it.

So, why should working out be any different?

The Mindless Flow

Here’s the thing: When it comes to exercise, you shouldn’t be thinking about it at all. If you’re overthinking your workout, chances are you’re dwelling on the discomfort — the muscle burn, the repetitive movements, and all the effort it takes. That mental resistance is enough to stop you before you even start.

But just like your body functions without you consciously having to think about it, your workouts should be part of the flow. Water doesn’t hesitate; it just moves. There’s no “What if?” or “Should I?” It simply continues forward, without a goal to stop it.

The Pitfalls of Goal-Oriented Motivation

Having goals is important, but relying solely on them as your motivation can be tricky. When your focus is entirely on an end result — say, reaching a certain weight or muscle size — what happens when you hit that target? Often, that’s when motivation falters. You’ve reached your goal, and it feels like the journey is over. The momentum that once drove you fades away, and it’s easy to let your routine slip.

Instead of focusing so much on the endgame, try to embrace the journey, much like water flowing continuously. If your only motivation is the goal, you might be missing the point of exercising regularly: it’s a continual process, not a one-time achievement.

Embracing Natural Adaptation

The key is to adopt a state of motion. When you stop overthinking the workout and simply engage in it, your body will naturally adapt, just as it does with everything else. You’ll stop stressing about what might go wrong or if you’ll meet some lofty goal. Instead, you’ll just focus on moving, on staying in that flow.

And remember, 90% of the things you worry about never happen. If they do, you’ll work through them, just like you keep moving through the water’s current.

So, take a page from Bruce Lee’s philosophy. Don’t think about it — just move. Be like water.