Your wrong fitness goals are the reason you're failing:
We all know that it's important to set goals.
Whether the desired outcome of your efforts relates to getting in shape, progressing at work, or getting better at your hobby, setting concrete goals is key to success, right?
Whether the desired outcome of your efforts relates to getting in shape, progressing at work, or getting better at your hobby, setting concrete goals is key to success, right?
The answer is: it depends on the type of goal.
While having a goal is a great motivator for getting started, when it comes to fitness-related goals, most people inadvertently set themselves up for failure because their focus is on the outcome rather than the process.
While having a goal is a great motivator for getting started, when it comes to fitness-related goals, most people inadvertently set themselves up for failure because their focus is on the outcome rather than the process.
Outcome Goals
Let’s take a minute to look at outcome-based goals.
These are the goals *most* people have.
Let’s take a minute to look at outcome-based goals.
These are the goals *most* people have.
Someone might say…
“I want to lose weight in X days.”
or
“I want to get bigger and faster.”
or
“I want to get a six-pack in 6 weeks.”
The focus of each of these is narrow on accomplishing that goal.
Here’s 3 reasons why that’s bad 👇👇
“I want to lose weight in X days.”
or
“I want to get bigger and faster.”
or
“I want to get a six-pack in 6 weeks.”
The focus of each of these is narrow on accomplishing that goal.
Here’s 3 reasons why that’s bad 👇👇
1. Outcome-oriented goals can be stressful
Until you achieve your goal, you feel like an underachiever.
You think about it in the morning, you think about it before bed, and every missed, incomplete, or non-maximal-effort workout frustrates you.
Until you achieve your goal, you feel like an underachiever.
You think about it in the morning, you think about it before bed, and every missed, incomplete, or non-maximal-effort workout frustrates you.
2. The focus is on the short term
Even if you have a 6-month goal, it’s still short-term compared to the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, it’s too common to see people train hard and get great results for an event like a wedding and then quit.
Even if you have a 6-month goal, it’s still short-term compared to the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, it’s too common to see people train hard and get great results for an event like a wedding and then quit.
3. Adversarial relationship between exercise and food
With exercise and nutrition, unnecessarily strict outcome-oriented goals set the stage for developing extreme and myopic shifts in perspective over time.
If the sight of a donut scares you, there's probably a better way.
With exercise and nutrition, unnecessarily strict outcome-oriented goals set the stage for developing extreme and myopic shifts in perspective over time.
If the sight of a donut scares you, there's probably a better way.
Process Goals
Let’s take a minute to look at process-based goals.
These are the goals *most* people should have.
Let’s take a minute to look at process-based goals.
These are the goals *most* people should have.
Someone might say…
“I want to walk 3 times a day.”
or
“I want to lift weights X number of times a week.”
or
“I want to eat a certain amount of protein and calories.”
“I want to walk 3 times a day.”
or
“I want to lift weights X number of times a week.”
or
“I want to eat a certain amount of protein and calories.”
Sticking to process-oriented goals has a much higher chance of success and is easier to weave into your life without having it feel like an overhaul.
Here’s 3 reasons why they’re good 👇👇
Here’s 3 reasons why they’re good 👇👇
1. Long-term
Process goals are, by definition, long-term.
For those looking to have lifelong fitness, this works out better.
Process goals are, by definition, long-term.
For those looking to have lifelong fitness, this works out better.
2. Higher Compliance
People tend to give up when they miss their goal.
When your goal is to “Squat every day,” you’ll skip working out all together if you can get under the bar. ❌
People tend to give up when they miss their goal.
When your goal is to “Squat every day,” you’ll skip working out all together if you can get under the bar. ❌
If your goal is “work out once a day,” you’ll go for an afternoon walk if you miss squatting in the morning. ✅
3. Forms New Habits
Many fight their way to a goal and then quit.
Few set up lifelong processes that become lifelong habits.
Process-oriented goals result in better habits than goal-oriented ones.
Many fight their way to a goal and then quit.
Few set up lifelong processes that become lifelong habits.
Process-oriented goals result in better habits than goal-oriented ones.
Summary:
Process-Based Goals >>> Outcome-based goals
Stop worrying about the outcome and start focusing on the process.
Once you enjoy the process, you’ll get the outcome you’re looking for.
Process-Based Goals >>> Outcome-based goals
Stop worrying about the outcome and start focusing on the process.
Once you enjoy the process, you’ll get the outcome you’re looking for.
I’m a dad on a mission to help other dads be the best they can be for their kids; give me a follow @MikeSchiff_ for more content like this!
God Bless! 🙏
God Bless! 🙏
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