If you want to perform at a high level, then you have to accept that there will be sacrifices. I’m not talking about baby sacrifices, like not going out to dinner a few times week but sacrifices that may not always be ”fun”. There seems to be a big disconnect that training, dieting, and practice is about what works for you on your schedule and that it’s always comfortable. While this mentality is completely fine for the everyday person, however if you truly want to go to the next level then there will have to be sacrifice and some discomfort.
Here’s a few tips that we share with our athletes.
Surround Yourself with Support
Your environment is key. For instance, if your significant other eats a lot of pastries when you’re dieting down, you’re going to be tempted. Having friends, family, loved ones, etc… around to help you stay focused, keep compliant, and not tempt you will make a significant difference.
Also, it’s inevitable that at one point during your training and dieting, there more than likely will be a point of weakness and/or doubt. This is when the support of your teammates, friends, coaches, and family will become imperative. So make sure to have a great support team to help you fight on, they’ll also be the ones that understand the sacrifice it takes to reach the level you’re training for.
Let EVERYONE Know Your Goals and Set a Date
A study of the 1979 Harvard MBA class, where graduates were asked:
“have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?” The result, only 3% had written goals and plans, 13% had goals but they weren’t in writing and 84% had no goals at all. Ten years later, the same group was interviewed again and the result was absolutely mind-blowing.
The 13% of the class who had goals, but did not write them down was earning twice the amount of the 84% who had no goals. The 3% who had written goals were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97% of the class combined”
Forbes- Why You Should Be Writing Down Your Goals
While this study is focused on earnings, it shows that the simple act of writing down your goals is clearly helpful, this has also been stated with many of our athletes and special combat clients.
My point is that by stating your goal to the public, however you decide to do it- writing it down on a facebook post, verbally stating it, signing up for a competition etc…- will force you to stick to your game plan.
For example, if you signed up for a competition and told your friends, family, clients, etc… then you’ll want to do your best and actually train for it. It’s easy to SAY you’re going to do something, it’s a different story when you actually PAID and signed up for a competition.
Having a focused time frame also helps you keep committed. Signing up for a competition places the “I’ll diet down in a few weeks” to “I have to keep my diet strict because I have my competition in X days”. This keeps you fully focused and honest with yourself, no more excuses just action!
Hire a Coach or Personal Trainer
A sports performance coach or personal trainer will keep you accountable with your goals. They’ll also give you the guidance to help you adjust the plan as needed. I know some people may roll their eyes but every successful athlete has a coach by their side. It doesn’t matter how much you think you know, you’ll always be your worst enemy. This is also why doctors should not diagnose themselves.
On a personal note, I know that with the guidance of my own weightlifting coach that I’m much better weightlifter and athlete. The dedication and accountability that comes with having a coach or personal trainer is priceless. He also has me think outside of the box and adds in so much more value through support and advice, honestly without a coach of my own it would be very difficult for me to keep training as hard as I do.
So go find yourself a knowledgable and RELIABLE coach or personal trainer that is as dedicated to you as you will be to your goal.
Mental Preparation
Imagine walking up a narrow spiral staircase up this sucker! Let’s say as you weren’t the brightest and elected to walk instead of taking the elevator, 20 minutes have past and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight, it’s the same view a narrow hall spiraling up, you’re agitated and tired. Now you’re now stuck in a conundrum, do you keep walking up for another 20 or who knows minutes or do you walk back down?
This can easily set a little anxiety and discomfort in you, however if you know that you only have about a 5minute walk up or if there was a guide to tell you how much longer the anxiousness would more than likely dissipate.
The of the story is that the more you understand the process the better and easier the process will become. The knowledge you have will give you an end goal and keep you from walking into darkness without knowing when or where the end will be.
Relating this to training, mentally preparing yourself and accepting that to compete at a high level means your life will be much different from the average Joe. You may not be able to travel, go out to dinner, or drink as much but you know that there will be an off-season or a time back off. In the end when you prepare yourself and accept that this will not be all fun and games than you will see it in your performance. Just keep in mind that if training at a high level was so easy to do, than every Joe Schmo would be a superhero.
Stay strong,
Team Fusion Trained
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