Last week we talked about taking the path less traveled and finding ways to get outside of our comfort zone. I mentioned we’d talk about chasing the big hairy audacious goal. And so today is going to be the next step in chasing that goal.
When looking at goal setting, anybody can just throw something out in the air, but if they aren’t intentional about it or they don’t have a plan it can be difficult to achieve that goal. Michael Jordan wouldn’t have become the all-time greatest basketball player without trials and successes, intentionality, and hard work. In the Bible story – Benaiah wouldn’t have chased the lion into a pit without fear without understanding how to track the lion in the snow, and the confidence in his skillset and weaponry to be successful. In order to achieve a goal we are chasing, we have to set the pace. We have to decide that we’re going to do it, become intentional in our plan and pursuit, and prepare to achieve the goal we set.
Some goals may take weeks, months, even years. Some goals may take a few days. I would venture to say that the goals that take a few days or weeks to achieve are not the big lion-sized goal you’re really after. But that’s not to say that goal wasn’t part of planning and preparation to make strides towards the end goal. So I ask this question – what do your planning and preparation look like?
For me moving and getting settled in a new city has brought on a lot of planning and preparation. My routine and schedule I used to have are completely thrown off course – personally and professionally. Leaving family, my girlfriend, and some friends behind has now created more demand for planning ahead and preparing for weekend visits and how that affects my schedule. Professionally, I’ve taken on more hats and a new location – which again takes more planning and preparation when looking at each week as a new opportunity to grow the business.
One thing that has been ingrained in me is to schedule your priorities, don’t prioritize your schedule. Now that theory may seem logical from a work perspective, but personally, that may seem more challenging. But think of it this way. If every day you go with the flow of being asked to complete this task for work and help this co-worker, and now this customer is calling asking you to stop by, etc… Are you actually in control of your day? The answer is probably no. All of those things are important but without a plan, you can begin to feel bogged down and overwhelmed, not to mention you haven’t even got to the personal aspect of your day – whether it’s dinner with your significant other or working out. If doing something with friends or family is a priority- make it one. Planning ahead is so valuable and will allow you to control the things you can control and prioritize the most important things to you because they’re on your calendar – hypothetically or literally.
Another way that planning and preparing can be done is to-do lists. I love lists, from a daily task list, to work to-dos, lists are scattered throughout my apartment. For all you type-A, organized people, you know what I’m talking about. Now, please know I am not saying this has to be you. To-do lists will look different for everyone but keeping a to-do list will allow you to plan ahead, prepare for the day, tomorrow, or next week, and will allow you to prioritize things that matter most to you. It’s an accountability measure to be able to look back on the day or week and assess how productive and successful you were.
Now, what does this mean for chasing the goal? When you plan ahead and prepare by putting your goal on your to-do list. Scheduling it as a priority you’re able to track the progress of reaching the goal. In Proverbs, it refers to some sayings of the wise, one of which says in Proverbs 24:27, “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. Thousands of years ago people were told to plan and prepare. So, maybe your goal requires stepping stones to get there, and it’s important to focus on each one individually. Just as if you were to build a house. After all, you can’t build a house without building the foundation.
I challenge you to make each one a priority. Focus on the task at hand, accomplish it. Check it off your to-do list and move forward. I promise you with each small win, you will gain more momentum, more control, and chasing the goal will become easier, more enticing and you’ll settle for nothing but the best version of yourself through it all.
WORKOUT
To plan and prepare to reach our lifelong goals, we all may have fitness goals we are trying to reach. Those goals take planning and preparation as well. Maybe it’s a program to try or an outline of workouts for the week to give you something to check off each day.
So, to help with this, this week’s workout will be another HIIT workout broken up into a lower body block, an upper body block, abs, and plyometric blocks. This will help give some structure and allow you to adapt past workouts or your own workout into the same outline.
For this workout use the WOD app or a stopwatch. We are going to perform 40sec work and 20 sec of rest. Go through each block three times. Take a minute break after each block is complete.
Block 1: Lower Body
1. Air Squats
2. Stationary Step Backs (from squat position / alternating step back with each leg)
3. Split Squat (switch front leg at halfway point of the timer)
Block 2: Upper Body
1. Push-ups
2. Shoulder Taps
3. Dips (can be done on the ground or elevated with bench/chair)
Block 3: Plyometrics
1. Squat Jumps
2. Ice Skater Lateral Jumps
3. Forward Broad Jump with Back Pedal
Block 4: Abs
1. Leg Lift Hold
2. Sit-Ups
3. Rotating Heel Touches (laying on back touch hand to heel)
Hammer and Anvil 