Conquer Your Goals Part 3 - Identity
This is part 3 in my goal setting series. For the other installments, go here and here.
A few days ago I started reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. There are a few good habits I’m trying to develop in my own life, and I figured this book would help since it came highly recommended from someone I trust.
Turns out, he makes a very good point in one of the first chapters that’s especially applicable to any fitness goal. When starting new habits, we tend to focus on the “what” and “how.” He argues we should focus on the “why” and “who.”
My basic point in my other goal setting posts is that focusing exclusively on your “outcome” goal (for example, lose 20lbs) can be counterproductive. Instead, I encourage my clients to focus on “process” goals, or the little things you do every day to move you toward your outcome. I also encourage clients to think about the deep reason why they want to achieve something, usually tied to an emotion. We don’t want to achieve a goal for its own sake. We want to achieve goals because of how they make us feel.
However, there’s another level that I haven’t addressed yet. We need to talk about WHO you want to become by achieving your goal.
Your outcome is your destination. Focusing on the process gets you there. But knowing the kind of person you want to be pushes you along the path.
Here’s an example. You want to lose 20lbs. You set a realistic date to achieve your goal and set small process goals to slowly move you along. However, there will still be hiccups. Things won’t go as planned. You’ll be tempted with unproductive decisions every day.
Here’s another example. You’re a police officer and training for SWAT selection. You’re putting in long, early hours at the gym, in addition to taking care of your family and your normal job duties. You’re exhausted most of the time, and even though you’re physically fit, you’re starting to feel the mental strain.
In these examples or any others, tough moments will come. When those tough moments come, ask yourself: “what would a _____ person do in my situation?” For fat loss, it could be “what would a healthy person do?” For selection, it could be “what would a seasoned SWAT officer do?”
We’ve gone a step beyond your process goals and started addressing who would be all this in the first place. Our identity is fundamental. It’s how we make sense of the world and relate to others. By addressing our identity, we get at the heart of why we make the decisions we do.
Knowing who you are and who want to be will help clarify your “why.” It might be a strong enough “why” on its own. And a strong enough “why” will allow you to tolerate almost any “how.”
Who do you want to be? What do you want to become? Write it down, make a plan, then act accordingly.
The longer you wait to start moving toward your goals, the less likely you are to succeed. If you’re looking for a fitness trainer in the Mt Juliet/Hermitage/Nashville TN area, online fitness training, or just need some advice to get your fitness program started, contact me