Pieces of the Puzzle – Part 1 – Mental Momentum

These days we are bombarded with fitness crap!

Yes, crap.

Diet foods, late night infomercials, surgeries, supplements, videos, memberships and more.  Thirty years of marketing hype and whats happened?  The average American has gained almost 30 lbs!

It can get pretty confusing, but it doesn’t need to be.  Success in the gym, performing at your best or developing the body of your dreams is really pretty simple.

Let me repeat…it is simple, not easy.

This stuff works for everyone from a professional fighter to an overweight desk jockey.  I will break down the 5 keys to success over the next few days.  Today (Part 1 of 5) is all about mindset.  Your mind (mental muscle) is the most powerful tool in your arsenal, but it can also be your biggest enemy.  This article will help you start thinking towards your success.

Mindset – Mental Game – Your Thoughts

That little voice in your head that makes decisions and influences everything you do all day long.  From the minute you wake up, til you go to sleep and all night long.  Your conscious and subconscious mind control your success.  The good news is that you can control it and make it work for you!

Think about what you are going to accomplish…over and over and over again

The key to making progress is focusing on your goal, your strengths, your habits and celebrating the things you do right each week.  This will require change and mentally you need to understand that this will be a process filled with adversity, challenges, learning experiences, and victories.  

If you read about change or success, then this is not new to you.  The path to success is not easy, but it is simple.  One of the best quotes that illustrates this point is: “Just keep showing up”

“Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win.” Bobby Knight

This where most people drop the ball.  Relentless preparation makes a champion.  Sure you’ll have good days and bad days, but the willingness to keep showing up and learning from your mistakes separates most winners from the losers.  Sometimes easier said than done, but having the persistence to keep showing up, day after day until the job is done, is probably the most powerful advise you could ever get.  As an adult, you have to realize that it won’t always go your way, but what is your option?

So think about it.  What do you really want to accomplish?  What is something new, exciting or important that you want to achieve in the next 3 months?

Write it down.  Now take some time and think about daily habits that will help you achieve that goal.

**Hint: the more emotional/important the goal is, the more likely you are to achieve it

For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds, you will need to workout daily, eat more natural foods, eat more often, get good sleep, increase water intake, etc.

Just getting these goals and habits written down is a simple task, but is a huge step towards your success!

Once you have your goals and habits written down, you need to put them in a place where you can view them daily.

I personally have my goals and habits written on a big white board in my room and on a note card in my backpack.  Every morning I wake up, drink water, go for a short walk, eat breakfast then review my daily habits. This not only reminds me of my goals, but keeps me on track, because life is always distracting and there is always something or someone that can distract you from your goals.  Remind yourself daily and you will increase your chances to staying on track and achieving your goals.

Ok, got your goals written down and you are committed to reviewing them daily, what’s next?

Eliminate weak words like hope, wish, can’t, won’t, etc from your speech

“Speech both conceals and reveals the thoughts of men”

So many people don’t realize it, but they cut the legs off their dreams by speaking weakly about their goals and dreams.  Be conscious of your speech and when you catch yourself using these weak words, stop, and correct that sentence using something more affirmative.

For example.  Which sounds better?

“I wish I could lose 20 lbs” or  “I am going to do lose 20 lbs in the next 3 months, no matter what!”

“I hope I win my fight this weekend” or “I have worked harder and trained more than this guy.  I am stronger, faster, tougher and have a solid game plan .  He won’t know what hit him!”

Countless success coaches, seminars, workshops, books, and videos talk about this stuff.  The key is acting on it, so get to work.

You have to think about what you want, plan it out, act on it, tell people about it and stay persistent until the job is done.

Homework from Part 1

1.  So, what’s it gonna be?  What are you going to accomplish?

Maybe its weight loss, win a tournament, run a race or just prove to yourself that you CAN do it.  Remember, the more emotional/important the goal is, the more likely you are to achieve it.

2.  Determine what daily tasks will help you achieve that goal?

3.  Write it down.

Big goals and daily tasks.

4.  Put it where you can see it.

Bathroom mirror, note card in your pocket, white board, etc.

5.  Be weary of your words.

Eliminate weak words and talk like a champion.

Your mind is the most powerful tool you have, so take some time and get it working in your favor.

So, get the ball rolling and start creating some mental momentum for your goals!

Post a comment and let us know what your goal is!

…and keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 of this series, where we will discuss how the whole world has made simple nutrition incredibly confusing.