I was inspired to write this post after talking to a new client the other day. We dug into some really deep stuff about why he wants to get results and why the numbers on the scale or from the calipers don’t mean much to him.
He had a really great perspective on this and without going too much into what we spoke about, basically it came down to him wanting to create a lifestyle instead of the constant up and down of getting in shape, stopping, starting back up again and essentially having that constant wave of feeling good then feeling bad.
So many people do this. It’s such an automatic reaction to think “I’ll be happy when…..”
I’ll be happy when I get that new job. I’ll be happy when I lose 10 pounds. I’ll be happy when I make more money.
Will you really?
You may be happier because you may have more freedom, more time with the family, you may be proud of your new body or you may be able to work less. But is that really the end of it?
Going back to the weight loss and fat loss thing, so many people that I talk to think that as soon as they drop that extra weight it’s going to be all good and life amazingly becomes easier.
Hell no. That’s when it becomes harder because you actually have to maintain or continue to progress on those results.
Then what? You chase that elusive number again and again, always thinking, “I’ll be happy when….”
That’s no way to live.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t set goals. I love setting goals and here’s my strategy for it.
- Set short term goals that you can accomplish every month
- Set long term goals that keep you motivated in the long run
Really simple.
The thing about this is that I don’t want those goals to always be number related. If your long-term goal is to get to 20% body fat, you need to set short term goals that will support that, not just give you stress and the feeling of deprivation.
For example, your short term goals would be something like this:
- Complete 3 strength training sessions every week for the entire month
- Eat in accordance with your nutrition plan (not diet) 90% of the week, with the occasional treat 1-2 times per week (enjoy it, don’t just binge on it)
- Commit to sleeping 7-8 hours every night
- Let yourself relax and enjoy the journey
Each day you should think about your long term goal and then think about what you’re going to do in the short term (that day) to achieve it. Are you getting to the gym for your strength training session? Are you committing to take in high quality food that will support your results? Are you getting to bed at 10 or 10:30 to get in your 8 hours?
Those are the simple steps. Along the way you’ll realize that you’re not just chasing the long term goal day after day with no avail. Instead you’re creating a lifestyle, weekly and daily patterns that become YOUR LIFE.
You are someone that trains hard, eats smart and is kind to themselves.
You are NOT just doing it to get to _______ goal. If you do that, then what? You start the vicious cycle all over again.
Do you really want to live like this?
I don’t know about you but that looks like it straight up sucks.
Instead why not focus on hitting your short term goals every week and month, then creating new ones?
Be psyched when you conquer a goal in the gym. Congratulate yourself when you have an awesome week of eating clean and strong. Do this week after week and it WILL become the norm.
I know it takes time, it’s easier said than done but you have to start somewhere.
Create your ultimate long term goal. Make it something you actually want, not just some number because you think you should.
From there think about what you’re going to do each week and each month to get there. Make it do-able stuff, sustainable stuff.
Kick ass in the gym every day that you show up. Don’t half-ass it.
Be kind to yourself. Enjoy the process.
Be sure to leave a comment here if this changed your thinking about being happy and setting goals.