I am not sure about you but I work best when I have a goal to strive for. Every year I try and pick at least one fitness challenge for me to chase. The goals originally started small, run 10k, lose 10 lb, etc. Over the last couple years I have grown them a bit bigger. Bikini competition, half marathon, mud run. I need structure and I need accountability. Setting a lofty goal that seems just out of reach is what I need to keep me motivated to accomplish something.
This year I am heading back to the stage. This prep has been tough and more than once I have wanted to quit. I am currently 5 weeks out and now have to have laser focus to get through to the home stretch. The struggle has not been physical, it has all been in my head. Unlike many sports, body building is very isolating. You go to the gym for hours at all hours on your own, it is not a team sport. Diet is the killer. Birthdays, bbq’s, even home movie night with the kids. The smell of the popcorn is enough to bring me to tears. I believe this may be my last show which has brought some determination to make it a good show and the goal is to beat the last package I brought to the stage.
Why set goals? Many people do it once a year. I am not a New Year’s Resolution-person. I believe setting daily, weekly and monthly goals are actually more important. Why? Because they are attainable. Writing your intentions every morning in a journal can change the entire course of your day. Simple things to start with; what to I want to achieve today? What am I grateful for today? I am a journal newbie, so I keep it pretty basic. Just things I want to do, like ‘stay on meal plan”, “get an extra 15 minutes of cardio in” ,”I am grateful for the love of my husband”, “I am grateful for kids”, etc. I also have a chalkboard in my kitchen that I list my workouts on for entire week by day. This way I feel accountable to scratch off every entry by Saturday. It makes me feel good, everyone is different.
Lately I have had some ask what next? That is still up in the air for big fitness goals. I will probably try and do a 10 km and maybe a half in fall. The reason I push myself so hard physically is that it helps me keep my best mentally. Right now I am really working on personal development. I have 3 courses left to finish for my Human Resources certificate that I have been working on since fall. I also recently completed the Classic Lash Technician course so I am trying to get in some models for my final certification plus training. I always have a full plate but in all honesty, it was all about timing. A few months of really hard work and long hours for a better future. Short term pain, big gain. Set goals and smash them.
You are the only one in your way. What do you want? Out of life? Out of your relationships? Out of your career? What personal things would you be too embarrassed to tell anyone but really want to do? Think of some crazy shit. You get to do all this once! I am not saying ditch out on your responsibilities and go run The Death Race with no preparation. What I am saying is think about a goal like that to work up to. Start with smaller goals that can get progressively bigger. Start jogging working your way up to a 5k, then sign up for a 10 km. Then maybe a half, then a full, you get it the idea. You want a promotion at work, start working towards it. We have the power to do anything we really set our minds too. Tell the voice in your head to shut up and get after it.
One thing people often say is they lack motivation. What I wanted to clarify is that motivation is a small part of chasing goals. Discipline is the key to success. Motivation is what keeps you inspired to do things but discipline is what gets it done. I don’t get up at 5 am because I am motivated, I get up because I am disciplined. There are days when I have zero motivation to get to the gym but I have the discipline to make myself go. I get it, weird concept but since I figured this out I push myself that extra bit to get it done. I use this concept for not just physical activities but for my mental game as well, driving myself through these courses and not giving up. Channel your inner warrior, you have one in there, she is just resting, not dead.