Becca Steinsquat and Samir no-middle-name Chopra get their Zercher on
Goal Setting
Christian Fox
Goal setting can be a tricky thing. Many times when people do what they think of as goal setting they are actually just creating a wish list. For example, “ I want to be faster on the erg”, or “I want to lose weight” are not really goals, they are wishes. “I want to take 30 seconds of my 2k Row time”, and “I want to lose 15 lbs by November”, or even better, “I want to lose 15 lbs and be down 2 pant sizes by my birthday party in November” is a goal. These are specific statements that spell out what the desired end result is. Be specific. Make a list of reasons WHY you want to achieve said goals. Write it all out.
A goal must also be for you. You have to really be the one who wants to achieve it. They can’t be for anyone else, and they can’t be something you just think you should be able to do. You need to own it.
Have a plan on how you’ll achieve the goal. Map out the steps you’ll take on the way. Want to have that faster 2k row? Think you’ll need to row a bit to get there? Plan it out and write it out. “I will row 2x a week before or after class. One day will be a 5k-10k piece focusing on technique. The other day will be 5 x 250 or 500 meter sprints focusing on intensity”. Have a plan, write it out, and make it happen.
Tell people your goal. They’ll ask you about it. They’ll want to know how it’s going. People (especially your coaches and fellow athletes at CFSBK) want to see you achieve your goals. That can help to keep you honest. Even if you’ve disappointed yourself in the past by quietly not keeping to your goals, you’re less likely to want to disappoint others. Peer pressure can be used to your advantage here. Know a few people with the same goal? Form a casual support group to keep each other honest. It doesn’t have to be hokey, but it can work.
Importantly, you won’t achieve goals that are in obvious opposition to each other. “I want to gain 20 lbs of muscle and bump my back squat from 330 to 350”, in addition to “I want to PR my ½ Marathon time by 11 minutes” won’t jive. We can all be guilty of the error of wanting it all, and wanting it right now. Take it from me…sadly I know.
Finally, check in on your progress often. If you had the goal of losing 15 lbs and 2 pant sizes by November, you also had a plan to get there, right? Have a checklist for each day. Set a reminder in the calendar on your phone! Did you keep to your eating plan? Did you do your strength and conditioning work? Did you get enough *sleep so your hormonal profile is conducive to fat loss and not fat storage? *That may be another article right there…
Set powerful goals and have a powerful plan to achieve them. Screw New Years Day…Start right now. Cheers to success.
Post a 1 month goal to comments. Remember, goals come with plans, wishes don't
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Alec and Deb are doing 4 workshops at Nimble Fitness. Check them out all the details here!
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