Last Update On December 26, 2011
Working For Your Training Goals
by Vladi
Do you have a goal? What a stupid question, ah? Everybody has a goal even we if say we don't. However having a goal and working for it are two different things. If you think of it you may miss your target but you have a better chance of a successful shot if you at least aim at it.
However sometimes we forget this. Of course this applies to everything outside of training as well but I will use it weight lifting an example.
I always used to set a goal for the next 4-6 weeks and the first time I decided that I will add half an inch on my arms in one month. It didn't happen. In fact nothing happened. I failed. I didn't achieve my goal. I was sad but looking back I was also naive and stupid. Why? I set a goal but I didn't change my training program according to that goal. In other words I failed to prepare a plan how I was going to achieve it. That's how I learnt that setting a goal is the easy part. Let's face it: nothing good in life ever falls from the sky. We have to work for it. By focusing on a goal the whole process becomes a little simplified.
When it comes to training achieving a small goal is a phenomenal motivator. If you add 1-2cm to your arm/leg/else in 6 weeks you made great progress. Also by setting a goal you are focusing mainly on one thing and that way you have a better chance of making progress.
Usually if you don't have a goal you are just walking around wondering what to do. There are a lot of people that just go to the gym quite often but never ever put enough effort into anything in order to see a progress. You've all seen the guy that lifts the same weight month after month and looks the same way. No wonder. It's because he doesn't work for his goals the right way. I'm not talking about setting the biggest goal ever. Face it: you may never become a Ronnie Coleman but how about losing 10 pounds of fat in 6 weeks or gaining an 1/4 inch on your arms. What's important is setting a small goal and achieving it.
This is extremely important for progress. You know what they say: Without a plan you are preparing to fail. So the next time set a goal. Find a weak bodypart/lift and work harder on it for the next 4-6 weeks. For example let's say that you have weak traps. Work them first when you hit the gym and increase the frequency to 2-4 times a week while keeping everything else at maintenance level. During that period of time you will not make progress outside of the back department but I would bet a lot that you will feel like you've made much more progress instead of just performing general lifting. This is another positive aspect of setting a goal and achieving it - you see the progress quick even if you fail to achieve your full goal.
Conclusion: We can't do everything we want in a short period of time. Hell, we probably can't do everything we want in a lifetime. However what we can do is perform little but steady steps instead of pointlessly wondering around. Of course a goal without a plan how to achieve it is nothing but a pipe dream that will never happen. Nature is not designed to enable you to get something for nothing. We all have to struggle and fight for it but a great degree of mental toughness and general positive attitude can be achieved when you set a small goal and get at least close to it.
Now go set a realistic goal for the next 4-6 weeks and work for it.
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