ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOALS

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"Considering the holiday I guess it would be appropriate to address the obvious, that is, the brief one-day interlude that should have created the necessary obligation to take a quick inventory of the previous year and consider what the next may bring. This is the one day of the year that, if you aren’t drowning in an alcohol-induced stupor, provides a brief respite from the rigors of an ordinarily over-stimulated society, one that prefers celebration to reflection, spontaneity to planning, and glitter to substance.
What does this have to do with Crossfit? You should learn, if you haven’t already, that our approach is universally applicable to nearly every aspect of life and that success and dedication in one facilitates the same in the other. We make a plan, that is, decide on our goals and use only the most effective and expedient approach to achievement. We speak in truth, not conjecture, theory, or postulation. If one approach doesn’t work we simply abandon it for another without any emotional bereavement.
To what exactly am I alluding and what can you glean from this Cabernet-induced circumlocution? Goal setting is the answer. There is an old adage that states ‘if you do not know where you are going then any road will get you there.’ A corollary states that ‘if you do not know where you are going then how will you know when you get there?’ The truth is that if you passively take life as it comes then you will hardly be responsible for what you have and who you are. The opposite approach is to set goals, to make a plan, prioritize, change, adapt, and aggressively pursue exactly what you want and what you deserve.
The definition of Crossfit is ‘constantly varied, highly functional movements executed at high intensity.’ The breadth of movements and exercises we employ may be overwhelming and discourage you from setting specific goals (due to the constantly varied part of the program). The truth is that regardless of what your goal may be every workout brings you one step closer as every exercise is somehow related to the next. Again, we deal in truth, concrete numbers, and solid performances, not generalities. This means that goals such as ‘to make it to the gym three times per week or reduce my sugar intake to one pound per day instead of two’ won’t work. We are dealing with elite fitness and if you are doing Crossfit then it is assumed that you have the fortitude and dedication found outside the parameters of mediocrity. It is assumed that you aspire to be a champion and are therefore disposed to train like a champion, eat like a champion, think like a champion, and eventually perform like a champion. A lofty endeavor is a heavy burden to bear. The gravity of apathy is continuously bearing down on us and only the most astute and hardened attitudes will not succumb to the sirens’ song of abandoned goals and stillborn ideas.
One of the most basic principles of goal setting is to make your goals known to others. Peer pressure is a powerful social motivator; consequently, by going public with your goals you are somehow held accountable to making progress. Furthermore, the simple inquiry by others along with the general support and encouragement on “bad days” adds direction and reinforces your purpose. Again, our gym is your gym and if you need to write your goals on the white board or the wall or in the bathroom then do it. We will hold you accountable for achieving your goals (even if they have nothing to do with Crossfit). The truth is that success and winning is contagious. Share it and watch it multiply.
You may have experienced spurious thoughts or ideas that have alluded to becoming goals but avoiding the official announcement or setting the goal you consequently aren’t held accountable. There is no failure but nor is there success. I have experienced this phenomenon with Crossfit and, as an example, I am going to come out of the proverbial closet and stake my claim. Instead of casually alluding to accomplishment and hoping it happens without an aggressive pursuit and the accompanying hardships I hereby claim my pursuit of the overhead squat record with 95 pounds. 76 repetitions is a long and lonely drive but it should be or it wouldn’t be the record or worthy of pursuit. It is a shame it isn’t more actually as we are driven by our brethren’s accomplishment. Every record in every endeavor will eventually fall no matter how long it has endured. The hungry will be the first to find victory, not the fat and accomplished.
In summary, I challenge you to set goals for this new year regardless of how ostensibly insignificant. A taste of success, victory, or accomplishment may stimulate more hunger just as a drop of blood can drive sharks to a feeding frenzy. Make your goals official by either writing them down or sharing them with someone else. Finally, don’t be afraid to adapt and modify your goals to your current situation. If you break a leg then running a five-minute mile is not going to be realistic. You get the idea.
Happy Hunting"

- anonymous