Goals are supposed to shape us. Guide us. Focus us to a specific path. But goals are ideas, not actions. And sadly, most goals ignore our insecurities. Few people would turn down a muscular body with a low body fat. But if this was most people’s goal (and it is), why is everyone so far [...]
Goals are supposed to shape us. Guide us. Focus us to a specific path. But goals are ideas, not actions. And sadly, most goals ignore our insecurities. Few people would turn down a muscular body with a low body fat. But if this was most people’s goal (and it is), why is everyone so far from it?
TWO BEST BUDDIES
To put this in perspective, I’m going to throw out two hypothetical’s:
First, we have Brick. Brick is a tank. But before his days of wearing beaters and showing his guns, he was a former skinny guy that constantly got picked on for his size.
Second, we have Stick. Stick is thin with little muscle. But before his emaciated days, he was a former fat guy that constantly got picked on for his size. He’s happy because he no longer faces those days. When he looks at guys like Brick, however, he admires their size. His winter goal is to gain ten pounds.
One day, Stick sees Brick at the gym and asks him for help. Brick tells him that it’s all about going hard in the gym and manning up at the dinner table. But Stick is afraid of losing his six pack. Spring rolls around and Stick has only gained one pound.
Now if you compare young Brick and old Stick, they have the same goal. Yet Stick hits a snag because his insecurities override his goal. Brick, on the other hand, had a goal that matched his insecurities. Losing his six pack didn’t matter to him because he only cared about getting away from his former self. (This kind of story is commonplace over at Elite Fitness Systems, where a lot of guys share a tale of being small to disprove someone attributing their success to genetics.) Stick was formerly teased for not having a six pack. It’s more difficult for him because gaining a little fat represents a regression.
Two people. Same goals. Different result.
BUT IS IT THE GOAL?
It’s not that the goal is bad, it’s the plan of attack. To safeguard from making an unobtainable goal, you have to address it from an illogical standpoint. Yes, I said illogical. Hitting a goal is going to depend on how extreme you’re willing to pursue it. Brick got hench because he didn’t worry about snagging a Twinkie here and there. He pushed the envelope, where as Stick didn’t.
Success depends on doing what the majority aren’t willing to do. Here’s a good way to see if your goal is obtainable. First, write it down. Second, ask yourself what the majority would do to hit the goal. Third, ask yourself if you’re willing to do more. If you can answer “yes” to the third part, then you have what it takes.
LEARNING FROM OTHERS
This is similar to a post Bret Contreras just made entitled, Pushing the Envelope.
So you want a strong squat? What would the majority of people do? Squat once or twice a week? Look at John Broz. He was willing to experiment with squatting every day. While this strategy isn’t for everyone, his lifters are strong enough to attest to its effectiveness. And they get to laugh at the people that think squatting that much will make them spontaneously combust.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbv3MUIyMbM
Bret Contreras wanted to exploit the strength of the glutes. Instead of using traditional exercises, he experimented with off the wall stuff. His female clients have some of the best glutes you’ll ever see in the competition, and his male clients have some of the strongest hip thrusts.
Mike Boyle doesn’t have his athletes back squat. Isn’t that a sin or something? Shouldn’t his athletes be dead?
No.
These people make their living on doing what other’s aren’t willing to do and outworking the competition. Remember, success isn’t about genetics. It’s about showing up and putting in the effort.
You’re not going to become an actor if you’re not willing to move from your hometown. I don’t care if your goal is to become the next Harrison Ford. You’ll never make it.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE
Tim Ferriss mentions this quote a lot, and I think it’s applicable in this situation.
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
If you want to accomplish a goal, you have to do what others aren’t willing to do. Break the rules. Try something outlandish. Be the minority. Only then will you be on your way.