New Year-New You.
How many times have you heard that one? As humans, it seems natural to use dates on the calendar to mark the end of one phase of our lives and the beginning of another. In this case, January 1st is the traditional time to pledge to ourselves that somehow this magical date will be the start of our journey to getting “fit” or becoming “healthier.” After more than 24 years in the fitness and wellness industry, the influx of people into the gym diminishes greatly by February 1st.
The number one reason that is is because the phrases “get fit” or “become healthier” are completely immeasurable. They are vague and undefinable. If you really want to make changes this year you have to Set Your Goals. You need a target. Something that is measurable and attainable.
“You cannot make it as a wandering generality. You must become a meaningful specific.”__Zig Ziglar
Set Your Goals
How can you hit a target if you don’t even have?
Step to success.
- Identify exactly what you want. e.g. “I want to hit my driver 10 more yards by May 1st”.
Wanting something isn’t enough; you have to plan for it. A nebulous desire isn’t sufficiently detailed to charge up the mind with energy and will. You need a specific target to shoot for, something that you can see clearly in your mind.
Goal-setting is the means to this end. Without it, you’re like a boat without a rudder, just drifting aimlessly in the water.
2. Write it down.
3. Specify why you want to reach these goals. It’s hard to reach a goal if you don’t have a strong enough why.
“Change cannot occur until the desire to change is greater than the resistance to it.”__Brett Cohen
4. Identify the obstacles you have to overcome to get there. This could be other people in your life, work schedule, things like that. All of us have obstacles to deal with, but those who reach their goals don’t let them get in the way. They find a way around them or through them.
5. Identify the people, groups, and organizations you need to get there. This could be your partner, friends, or a coach. Someone who can offer guidance or support.
6. Identify what you need to know to reach that goal. This step is crucial. Not everyone is an expert on everything. This is something I see all the time. If your goal is to get better at golf, you need to have people in your life who know more about the process than you do. Don’t go it alone!
7. Develop a plan of action to reach that goal. Without knowing the steps necessary to get to where you want to go you’re likely to miss some of the crucial ones and waste a lot of time getting frustrated with your lack of progress. A goal without a plan is just a wish.
8. Put a date on it, when you expect to get there. Things that get measured, get done. Your goal needs to have a sense of urgency to it. Otherwise, it will just linger and become nothing but another wish unfulfilled.
9. Work A System. When it comes to golf fitness, there’s no shortage of Instagram and YouTube videos to confuse the living SH_T out of you! Some of the exercises you see are wonderful, BUT is it what YOU need to be doing NOW? Well you wouldn’t know, would you? How could you? You’re not trained to know. A generic exercise plan, even one that is designed for golfers just won’t cut it. Don’t just copy the “Here’s a great exercise for blah blah blah” from Instagram. That’s just window dressing. Let’s get down to brass tacks and take you through a step-by-step process to take you from where you are to where you want to go!
After 14 years of being a TPI-certified golf performance coach, I have developed a system that works. It starts with identifying exactly what you can and cannot do, then following a formula that improves how you move so you can move the you need to – to play golf the way you want to. If you are not following a formula or working a system then you might as well take the fork in the road.
If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”__Unknown
Brett’s Bottom Line:
SET YOUR GOALS; THEN ACHIEVE THEM!
Having reached the black belt level in martial arts many years ago and someone who has trained for and run 30 half marathons and 8 full marathons, I can say with the utmost confidence that the better your plan, the better your chances of success will be.
Without the focus that a goal provides, the energy of the mind is scattered like sand in the wind. Goals help you persevere through tough times since your efforts are part of a larger picture. The temporary sacrifices you make will then be worth it because each day brings you closer to the achievement of your goal. This should help you from getting discouraged when you hit the inevitable sticking points in your training.
Although a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, you need to focus on the fulfillment of each of those steps. (Always keep that long-range goal in the back of your mind though, so you can tap into it when the need arises. Just don’t dwell on it to the exclusion of your short and intermediate-range goals).
Planning Your Success
Long-Term Goals
Write down where you would like to be six months to a year from now. You may have a picture of yourself from the past that you would like to look like again, or a picture from a magazine of how you want to look.
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Intermediate Goals
Write down goals where that you would like to achieve in three to six months.
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Short-Term Goals
Write down where you would like to be in one to three months.
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Daily Tasks
At the beginning of each day or at night before you go to bed, set at least two goals for the upcoming day. These tasks should be aimed at helping you to achieve your overall goals. Be specific. You should include not only what the task is, but also when it will be performed.
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Reaching your goals requires a firm purpose and strong resolve with the goal always in sight. Remember, nothing worthwhile in life comes easily. If you want something badly enough, you can achieve it.
If you are willing to do what is necessary to achieve your goals I can help you accomplish them. Regardless of your current starting point, together we can build a plan guaranteed to leave you feeling better, moving better, and playing golf better. GUARANTEED-Let’s Get Started!
“Thanks, Brett! Caveat…we played really short tees (about 6000 yards) in the cold, wet muck today. BUT…I shot a top 1 percentile score by my standards, 2 under par 70!! I felt my hips actually turning a little bit for a change, and I hit my driver about 10 yards farther than I had last week. Needless to say, I will be doing my homework tonight!”__Derek (after his very first session!)