More.
Isn’t “more†always the answer?
That’s what we all think
More money will make ushappier?
More things will make usbetter?
More, more and more.
In training, it’s more volume, more intensity, more creative and challenging (but ultimately useless) exercises.
It’s more time, it’s more programs, it’s more complicated
In my own training, I have had to learn this lesson over, and over, and over again.
I start adding more, and my results start to dwindle. I try to do too much and I end up achieving much less.
It’s just as true in life, as it is in training.
But this ISN’T an article trying to get you to embrace simple and minimalistic training (as we do here).
My goal is to take your existing logic of getting better, remove it, and replace it with a more effective way of solving problems.
We’ll go a little deeper than simplicity.
Let’s being.
Avoiding Flawed Logic in Your Training (and life)
Let’s start with current logic.
Typical logical thinking looks something like this
You see a problem in your performance, the way you look, or maybe it is how you feel.
You will most likely attribute these problems to some sort of deficiency.
To state it as simply as possible: You know getting better at things will fix a deficiency.
You start thinking
- What do you need to learn?
- What skills do you need to develop?
- What exercises are most effective?
- How much more time can I practice/train?
Don’t get me wrong, fixing these things will workbut it is not the most effective.
Just so we don’t keep our heads in the clouds, let me give you a concrete example:
Example: Desire to Lose 20 lb
You notice you are about 20 lb heavier than you would like to beand you want to fix it!!
You start thinking (googling)
- What new diet strategy should I learn (macros, Whole30, Paleo)?
- What program is best for this goal?
- What exercise will burn the most fat?
- How can I start working out twice per day?
Now, MORE happens.
In your already crazy life (yes, we all have a crazy life) you decide to add more.
You want to learn more, work on more skills and add more to your training, life or habits.
Pile it on! Right?
Who needs sleep!?
…how’s that working out for you?…
If you’re like most people, adding a ton of new stuff to your life will work for about a weekif you’re lucky.
Likewise, in your training adding a bunch of new stuff is rarely the answer.
Change The SYSTEM, First
Now, let’s talk about more effective logic.
You see a problem in your performance, the way you look, or maybe it is how you feel.
Instead of looking at individual deficiencies, think just for a second that these problems could stem from
- Poorly designed lifestyle
- A ineffectively managed “systemâ€
The system being your life, or how you operate and navigate through your day-to-day activities.
That’s where the logic should start.
Now, you start engineering your life in such a way that it will support new behaviors that will enable learning and improve effectiveness and performance.
Your primary target for change and development is the big picture of YOU, then you can worry about all the little stuff.
Example: Desire to Lose 20 lb
Again, let’s go back to our example
Instead ofWhat new diet strategy should I learn (macros, Whole30, Paleo)?
- Look at your nutritional lifestyle first
- Do you eat out a lot?
- Is your pantry full of crap?
- Do you use travel as an excuse for a poor diet?
- Even better, what do your friends and family believe about nutrition and its place in a healthy lifestyle?
Instead ofWhat program is best for this goal?
- Look at your life for the last three months
- How many times would you say you trained?
- If you skipped a lot, why is that?
- Are you making the “busy†excuse?
Instead ofWhat exercise will burn the most fat?
- Look at your day-to-to possibilities and opportunities for consistency
- Exactly what time could you train each day?
- Exactly how many times could you train each week?
- Exactly how much time can you train on the days that you can?
Instead ofHow can I start working out twice per day?
- Look at your life over the last TEN YEARS!!
- How many successful “overhauls†have you ever done?
- Why would it work this time?
MOST IMPORTANT PART:
And if you want to simplify this down as much as possible, I have TWO simple questions for you:
- Are your family/friends aligned around a clear inspiring strategy and set of values?
- Are you looking at your own behavior, taking ownership and realizing that your choices are the problem?
Now, that we have you looking in the right direction. Let’s clear it all up.
The 6-Step Fix
Pay attention here.
This is NOT the…
- 6-Step “Quick” Fix…
- 6-Step “Easy” Fix…
- It’s not even the 6-Step “Simple” Fix.
To truly take actions on all six step below will be tough, but worth it.
1.) Clearly define your direction/values — What are you trying to achieve? What do you want? Why do you want it? Communicate with your family and friends to make sure they are on board and supportive of your new choices.
2.) Get Input from Others — Ask others what they perceive as your priorities, goals and focus. Sometimes what you think is happening in your life is a facade.
3.) Get a coach — Whether it is a coach or accountability partner, share your goals with this person and have them keep you accountable.
4.) Skills/Training — After ALL that, now you can focus on 1-2 new things you need to add in your life to achieve your goals.
5.) Set mile markers — Check your progress against a specific metric on a weekly/monthly basis
6.) Adjust — You are creating a new system here, adjust it as needed and make sure it is working and moving you in the right direction.
To change your life, however big or small, you need to become a strategist, not a tactician.
To becoming better!
Jerred