Celebrate the small wins

January is the month of setting goals. Everyone has a New years resolution

However...

No one follows through with them.

Why?

You don't know how to celebrate the wins along the way. You focus too much on the big goal, and you can't see how far you have come.

When it comes to goal setting, yes I'm still talking about this, you don't know how to do it.

you have the popular framework: SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound )

This method works

if it didn't it would not be so popular

But there is a missing piece to it

You always set a great goal and map out the perfect plan. You don't take into account life and plan for outcomes ( read about the WOOP method). Instead, you try to get Excel rich. You are setting goals like that kid from your hometown who is still trying to be a rapper. You think everything is going to fall into place perfectly

life doesn't work that way

you need to plan for setbacks, fuck ups and life changes

These setbacks are what cause us to focus on all the negative aspects of our goal. Let's say you want to lose 10lbs by May so that you can feel more confident on the beach. If we break this down thats 17 weeks from today to Memorial Day weekend. That is plenty of time.

It will put you at .6 pounds per week to lose. That seems super easy. It is a very attainable goal.

You will lose 5-7 pounds by about April and wonder why you can't lose those last 3 pounds.

You focus so much on those last 3 pounds that you forget to celebrate where you came from. You lost 7 pounds!!

Let's liken this to a video game real quick. If you're playing a racing game and you only have X amount of fuel before you run out. During the mission, there are "checkpoints" where you can get more fuel.

Getting to these checkpoints are celebrating your wins.

If you try to finish the mission without stopping for more fuel you will fall short. You need these checkpoints to win.

If you dont believe me, believe Harvard. They have not one but two different studies that prove that celebrating small wins leads to success.

If you dont believe in Harvard then you dont believe in education and I cannot help you.

-- Coach Mike

PS: I will be releasing a crossfit open nutrition guide in 2 weeks. You can sign up for the list here