The Mentality for Success

Over and over again I (unfortunately) experience an individual who sets themselves up for failure. They are the ones who always cancel appointments or are constantly arriving late. We all know people like this in our own circles, but rarely do they succeed at anything other than pure annoyance. Consistency is the only common denominator between a person who achieves their goal and those who fade away. The most consistent individuals have an attitude for success. They make a conscious effort at their goal with each and every decision they make throughout the day whether it be in the fitness center, on the trail, or in the kitchen.

If you have a scheduled appointment at 8am the following day, what on earth are you doing out at a midnight showing of Iron Man 3? Trust me, I'm all for the fun and excitement of the cinema. However, you need to be realistic, and if you know you are planning on going to a midnight event, reschedule your appointment for a later time. Worst case scenario is that you go to Iron Man 3, are in bed by 3am, up at 7:58am, in the McDonald's drive-thru at 8:07am, and arrive for your 8am appointment at 8:15am and give everyone in the office attitude because you didn't get enough sleep. Make a priority list, and if that means cutting out social activities to focus your energy and efforts on your goals then so be it. I'm willing to guess that you will regret missing a workout/training/rehab session more than if you missed a movie that will come out on DVD soon anyways. And if you are the type that look forward to skipping sessions, your days are numbered. You won't succeed in the long run with an attitude like that. 

Here are some tips that can help you focus your energy on your workout/training protocol in a consistent manner. 

1.) Don't be afraid to tell others "No." Be nice about it, but you can tell people no in a way that won't upset them. If you have had a scheduled training session at 5pm, and your phone rings as you are on your way out the door, be honest and tell the person on the other line, "Oh, you know what, I'm sorry that you're out of flour for your gluten-laced cookies, but I have a scheduled meet time that I'm heading to. Can I swing by the store on my way home and grab them for you?" Nine times out of ten they will understand. 

2.) Plan meals accordingly. If you frequently experience gastrointestinal discomfort, you aren't alone. Remember that it takes as little as 30 minutes but as much as 2 hours for the average stomach to clear the previous meal/snack. So, you might want to chow down on the fatty foods and fibrous vegetables after your session. GI discomfort can be the cause of many complaints that often get labeled a "cramp", so keep an eye out on your own eating patterns and look to make any necessary changes. Oh, and probably not a great idea to chug a venti caramel macchiato minutes before exercise. Don't think I need to go any further on that one.   

3.) Get small projects out of the way. You shouldn't be worried about the rest of your day while you at your training session. You should be worried about your training session when you are at your training session. Any known tasks that are on a time restriction can be completed after your working, especially if you're running late. 

4.) Get enough sleep. 8 hours are the general recommendation, but few actually accomplish this feat. Sleep is a crucial aspect of the recovery process as it increases protein synthesis and human growth hormone for maximal muscle recovery. In contrast, not getting enough sleep puts the body into a pro-inflammatory state.