Goals
Big or small, every goal helps.
I feel like I completely live my life by goals. Not in a bad way, but I'm one of those type-a personalities that always loves to makes lists and cross them off and be organized and know what's going to happen next. Goals are absolutely huge for me. Goals aren't only important for fitness, but also for your every day life. I have big fitness goals for the next year or two, and I have small fitness goals for each day/week. I have big life goals, and some daily life goals. Sitting down and determining each of these for yourself is important. You may not be the type of person who enjoys making lists, or likes to think about the distant future. But without goals, what are you working towards? How would you be satisfied with your work? Will you ever feel a since of completion?
My little goals keep me motivated and focused. It's a mini-win each time I accomplish them! I do a small dance in my head and then make the next small goal. My big goals give me something to work towards. I use them to determine what my small goals need to be. Ergo- I love that word-with every small goal I'm a little closer to achieving my big goal.
There is a downside to goals, however. Disappointment. I have set a goal for myself with an end-point and have not been able to “cross it off my list” (this list is sometimes imaginary but in the past I have used a cute notebook where I listed my goals). Anywho, I wasn't able to complete my goal by the time I gave myself. This saddened me, frustrated me, and disappointed me. I felt like giving up. One example in particular that comes to my mind is one Sunday morning I was deadlifting with a group of people. My goal for that morning was to hit 215lbs for a new PR (personal record). I felt weak that day and wasn't able to lift it. I tried multiple times with no luck. I left the gym that day feeling awful. I felt like I may not ever be able to reach that goal. I took a couple weeks of lifting lighter or less often with less pressure. Three or four weeks later I tried again for 215 and lifted it easy!
Make goals but don't put too much pressure on yourself to finish them. Have them be a useful and productive thing in your life. If it's your first time making goals start small. At the beginning of the week write a few things down that you wish to accomplish by Sunday. A few examples may be to go to the gym 3 times a week, eat healthy all week, or get 8 hours of sleep every day. If you lift often make a weight lifting goal; I will squat/deadlift/bench "x"amount of lbs this week. Whatever goals you make, have fun with them! And kick ass!