I hope many of us have reached some of the small goals that are leading us to our bigger goal since my last post.  Now we need to set markers that will most contribute to our success.  The best way to do this is to improve on your weak points.  Everyone likes to train the things they are good at and to do the things they enjoy.  If you have the ability to run long distances you probably spend a lot of time running long distance.  Or if your good at passing but not shooting you probably pass instead of shoot in game situations.  Train your weak points and they will no longer be weak so when the time comes to use those talents you will have  the confidence in them.  This is not to say to stop training your strengths just to put more emphasis on your weak points.  Another key to success is the intensity at which we train.  Bottom line, "no intensity, no improvement".  It's better to train hard three times a week then go halfway 6 times a week.  When you go to the gym, track, therapy room or field always push yourself to do better than last.  Little improvements every time will lead to big improvements just like our goal setting.  Put the most effort into every training session and be honest with yourself about how hard you are really working.  You can read about training on blogs, watch motivational movies or dream about past achievements but it all comes down to doing it.  If you don't train hard you won't improve.

Now that we have established our accomplishments are going to be loftier than getting out of bed, it is important to decide what we wish to achieve.  Whether it is a championship(for our athletes) and/or overall health and fitness(for anyone) the best way to succeed is to set smaller goals (preferably markers as we will discuss in another post) that will lead to our ultimate goal.  It is much easier to reach and stay dedicated to simple more easily attainable goals in the short term.  While the long term goal is the ultimate driving force behind our dedication and commitment it is these smaller markers that will keep us from getting discouraged.  There will be obstacles along the way which can frustrate even the most dedicated.  By breaking down our path to success in small steps it will be much easier to stay disciplined and remain consistent.  Consistency is one of the most important traits to have in order to be successful.  For our athletes, this means shooting extra foul shots, penalty kicks or backhands on a consistent basis.  If you commit yourself to this extra practice when it comes to overtime in the championship you will have the confidence to succeed.  For those who are hoping for a healthier lifestyle, you to can set smaller goals.  An example here is dieting or weight loss.  If your ultimate goal is to lose weight maybe 10 lbs. the key is to set your small goal as losing 1 lb per week.  It is much easier to commit yourself to the goal of a pound a week than 10 lbs without it being broken down into smaller steps.  So the lesson is to break down your ultimate goal into simple small easily attainable goals.  For the 2% that this blog is dedicated to we can take a lesson from the 98% who believe achievement is getting out of bed.  But for us, getting out of bed is a small goal that leads us to our bigger goals.  "Success. Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it."  So set the small goal to get out of bed and work hard at achieving the small markers and we will be on our way to our ultimate goal.

The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm defines achievement as "a great accomplishment, often accompanied by a sense of triumph.  Or, as it is known to 98% of the population, getting out of bed in the morning."  This blog is for the other 2% whose achievements are greater than getting out of bed.  While the focus of this blog is athletic success, the content will apply to anyone seeking a healthier, more dedicated and active lifestyle.  So, get out of bed and commit yourself.  Giving excuses is only admitting failure.  No "my alarm didn't go offs" because we will not fail.