How a 30-Day Push-Up Challenge Taught Me Discipline and Leadership

That’s right.  I saw a Facebook post a few months ago about doing 50 pushups a day for 30 days to help raise money for some non-profit and I thought to myself, “I wonder if I could do 75 instead of 50?”  Afterall, I’m pretty competitive.  If everyone else was striving to accomplish 50 pushups/day, then naturally, I should aim for 75. 

That was back in July.  So, I decided, starting on August 1^st, I would commit do doing 75 pushups a day (EVERY DAY) for the entire month.  For those of you keeping score, and just my luck, there are 31 days in August.  “I should have taken on this challenge I February!” I immediately thought to myself.  Nevertheless, the challenge was on, and I felt nervous, but ready for it.

I the spirit of full disclosure, I’m not some crazy muscle-head or ex-military person with amazing strength or stamina.  In fact, I’m a 51-year-old executive who tries his best to work out at least 3 days-week.  I’ve had 4 knee surgeries, and I’ve never played sports.  I can do pushups – but 25 is probably the most I’ve done at once.  30 in one day (until this point) was probably my all-time high.  Generally, when working out, I might do 3 sets of 10 or 15 – but nothing close to 75 in total.

So as the summer set in, I decided to go all in.  I did 75 pushups on 8/1.  Despite my best effort, I wasn’t able to do 75 pushups in one set.  Instead, I did 45 pushups – rested for a few minutes – and then was able to complete the remaining 30 pushups.  The next several days were very much the same.  45 in a row, and then a break, and then 30 more.

Sometimes I did the pushups first thing in the morning.  Sometimes I did them while at the office.  I’d remove my watch and unbutton the buttons on my sleeves, close my office door, and start doing push-ups, hoping nobody would walk by to see me through the glass walls of my office.  Sometimes I’d be lying in bed next to my wife and realize I forgot to do my 75 pushups for the day, so I’d climb out of bed, and start doing pushups, much to my wife’s amusement. 

In the end – it was all about being consistent.  It didn’t matter if I did them in the AM or the PM.  It didn’t matter of I did them at home, in the gym, or at work.  And it didn’t matter if I did them in 2 sets (45 and 30, or 50 and 25) – so long as I did 75/day.

By the end of the second week, I was easily able to do 50 or 55 in my first set, and then wrap up the remaining 25 or 20 in my second set after a brief rest period. 

By now, you may be asking yourself, “What does any of this have to do with Leadership?”  I think it has everything to do with leadership.  I committed to a goal  - a performance target – and I found a way to achieve that goal.  I wrote about doing one more pushup in my book (here on Amazon). Progress was slow and disappointing in the beginning, but I didn’t give up – I kept finding a way to achieve the short-term (daily) targets that would help me achieve the overall (monthly) goal.  When I was tired, sick, or unmotivated, I sucked it up and found a way to “get it done”.  I didn’t quit.  Leaders don’t give up.  Even if my wife or kids laughed when I “hit the deck” to perform my pushups while they were watching a movie on Netflix, I didn’t let that stop me.  Even my dogs were confused, thinking I was looking for a ball that rolled under the couch.  But it didn’t matter, I stayed focused on the goal.  75 pushups today.  75 pushups tomorrow.  And again the next day…

After 3 weeks or so, I was able to do 75 pushups in one set – without taking a rest.  It hurt.  It wasn’t easy, but I was able to do it.  I was careful not to overdo things.  I didn’t want to hurt myself.  So even after I did 75 pushups in one set, the next day, I want back to 50/25 – just to make sure I wasn’t over-doing things and risking injury.

Throughout the process, I lost 6 pounds and gained a ton of definition in my shoulders, chest, and arms.  Even my stomach (gut) was smaller/thinner.  You could argue that the weight loss was because I’ve also been reducing carbs and alcohol, as well as eating more veggies and protein and less processed foods.  Nevertheless, I’m currently at my lowest weight in 10 years – and I’m still doing 75 pushups every day (okay, I confess, I’ve missed a few days since my August challenge).  Was it the consistency of doing the pushups every day that also motivated me to cut back on carbs?  Probably.  

There is no doubt my strength is better, my ability to endure 75+ pushups (in a row) is better, and my weight-loss is real.  My upper body strength and cosmetically, my figure has improved dramatically.  I look and feel more toned and defined than I have since I was in my 30s (and remember, I’m 51 today).  …and if you don’t think you have enough time in the day to take on this challenge, I just did 75 pushups in 1:14.31 while writing this just to see how long it takes – that’s 75 pushups in less than 2 minutes. 

So, take 5 minutes (every day) and invest it into your health and fitness levels.  There is no way this investment doesn’t pay dividends well into the future!  Check out more leadership tips and advice in my book, Don't Wait, Lead Now

Disclaimer:  This post is mine alone and may not be the views or opinions of any others, including past or current employers, friends, or family.  You can also find me on Substack, Medium, Tumblr, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X – and you can find my book here on Amazon