This past week I was talking with some of my younger clients about the importance of being able to focus on the lifts that are at hand and what the differences are between someone who comes consistently to work and someone who comes to just come.
This conversation prompted me to write about four traits or characteristics that are found in successful lifters. These four traits are what I have noticed in people that constantly meet their goals and get results.
Consistence
The word is consistence. It always has been and we have been told this since we were kids in fables, The “Tortoise and The Hair” and in books, “The Little Engine That Could” (I think the little engine works have not actually read it since I was like 3). They all teach consistence and slow and steady wins the race.
I am here to tell you there are no shortcuts, there are no magic pills, and there certainly isn’t some supper secret exercise program that will change the way you look and feel, in just 10 minutes a day (I know this because I have looked). The secret is consistently working day in and day out.
Any great athlete or gym goer will tell you that they got to where they are through consistent hard work. Not short all out bursts of motivation followed by long periods of self pity and laziness.
Flip The Switch
To be successful you have to enjoy what you are doing. The gym is a fun environment and should be. One of the biggest differences I see between a successful client and a not so successful one is the ability to flip the switch. Or the ability to go from telling jokes to 100% focus on the lift you are doing.
Many people do not have this ability. It’s either one or the other, all work and no play or all play and no work. The ones that can find the balance will enjoy their time at the gym and also get a great training session in as well.
Have Realistic Goals
Setting goals that are too easy won’t get you where you want to be, setting goals that are too hard or too restricting will never get accomplished. Being able to set realistic goals that are just out of reach will be motivating and achievable.
You also need to be realistic with yourself. Know who you are. You can’t expect to be at your best everyday. Learn to listen to your body, know when to push yourself and when to step back.
Desire to Be Great
The desire to be great cannot be taught; it is not something that anyone can give to you. It is a choice that you make. Know it or not, you make this choice everyday. Do I want to make myself better or not? This does not just apply to the gym but to work, family, life. Are you going to make yourself better in one of these areas today?
A coach can only motivate you so much, friends and family can only keep you accountable for so long. It’s the desire to be great that keeps you hungry, always wanting to get better. This desire is what will fuel you, and hell, this desire will ultimately shape who you are, for better or for worse.
Consistency to stick with it, the ability to focus, a realistic review of your goals and self, and the desire to better yourself daily.
Do you meet these 4 traits?
Much Love,
Josh Williams
