Do You Have a “Goal” or a “Wish?”
The Importance of Setting Goals
– By Coach Chris
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Goal-setting is a very effective, yet underutilized, tool in the gym. Setting goals can keep you focused and motivated on those days when the last place you want to be is the gym.
The ability to set goals (and stick to them) can overflow into your life outside of the gym, as well.
Goal-setting in four steps:
1. Create a specific and realistic goal.
“I want to squat 400 pounds by 2018” is a better goal then “I want to squat more.” Also, remember to be realistic. Finding that balance of creating a challenging, yet realistic goal, can sometimes be tricky. If you want someone’s input, don’t be afraid to talk to your coaches!
2. Write it down.
It’s much harder to ignore a goal if it is recorded somewhere. For me, I need to actually write it down in my notebook. If putting your goal in your phone works better for you, go for it.
3. Create a roadmap.
You can’t squat 400 pounds before you can squat 300 pounds. After you create your goal, map out a timeline with marks you want to hit along the way. Setting micro-goals throughout the year will help keep you focused and motivated. It will also help you visualize your progress and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love smashing a PR every once in a while?!
4. Say your goal out loud.
The CrossFit community is made up of an amazing group of people who love to see each other reach goals. Share your goal with a coach or someone at the gym. And remember to cheer each other on!
There is no perfect way to reach your strength and fitness goals, but it’s much easier to reach your destination with a map. These are the tactics I use to help keep myself motivated and inspired.
Goals aren’t meant to be reached overnight. (And if they are, you might need to re-think your goals). Success is made up of a bunch of “little wins.” So don’t be so hard on yourself and get excited when you make progress (no matter how small).
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