A Weightlifter's Thoughts: GOALS!

           Are goals good? Are goals bad? Should I set long term goals? Should I set short term goals? Which one is the best? A goal is defined as the result or achievement toward which effort is directed. Some people don’t set goals for themselves in light of failure.  However, it is my belief that goals are essential to your training and to your everyday life. Goals are positive never negative. Recently, our gym Faction Strength and Conditioning has asked its members to write their 2013-2014 goals on the newly designed chalk board that sits along the men’s locker room wall. This was a great idea in my mind. However, I was a little bit hesitant to openly but up my ambitious goals across a giant wall for everyone to see.  Especially when the thought of failing at said goals is a possibility. Imagine putting yourself up there on the wall and at the end of the year not achieving the goals that you set out to achieve. 

At the time my training was starting up for the 2013 Collegiate Nationals, we were beginning a ten week cycle that would peak us for the national meet and we would peak five weeks into the cycle at the 2013 Arnold Weightlifting Championship in Columbus, OH.  My goals at the time were simple. I wanted to not bomb out at the Arnold, I wanted to Snatch 100 kilos, and Clean and Jerk 133 kilos, and I wanted to go to the 2013 Collegiate National with my teammates. Those were my goals, simple and to the point.  

Five weeks into the cycle we competed at the Arnold. I Power Snatched 90 kilos in my final attempt going three for three on the Snatch and setting a new PR in competition.  Was it my goal of 100? No, but it was one step closer. Prior to the Arnold I would have extreme difficulty trying to just calm myself down and lift. At the Arnold I was perfectly calm and focused. My Clean and Jerk wasn't there and in a way I was okay with it. The next week we competed again and I set a competition PR with a 116 kilo Clean just missing out on the jerk. I missed my chance to go to Collegiate Nationals with my teammates however, I did set two PR’s and a week later I set three more: a 130 kilo Front Squat, a 92 kilo Snatch, and a 115 kilo Clean and Jerk. In the last two weeks of training since the last meet to qualify I have made a training total of 207 kilos, which is four kilos more than what I needed to qualify.

Long story short, did I meet my goals. I meet one “not bombing out at the Arnold”. However, even though I failed at my goals I made progress.  Progress is key; we don’t build things in a day. It takes time and step by step is the best approach when trying to meet goals. Every journey towards our goals leads to progress and progress leads to our goals. If you remember that you will never be discouraged.

Am I bummed out that I didn't make the cut for Collegiate Nationals this year? Truthfully, yes it stings pretty bad knowing that the rest of my team and coaches are travelling right now to the city that started it all for me. Yes, I feel bad training alongside them last week and this week. Yes, I feel bitter when I don’t spend as much time getting coached as they do.  However, I don’t hate them or my coaches. I don’t have any ill will against them.  They are my family, friends, and teammates. I look to them for inspiration and guidance when needed and I wish them only the best. However, this helps motivate me. It gives me a drive to make progress to continue with my training and to push for a new goal. MAKE THE 2014 COLLEGIATE NATIONALS A SESSION. The qualifying total needed is 238 kilos. That is 31 kilos away from what I am currently totaling. That is my new goal and progress will lead me to it.

         Till next time, keep on progressing find the positives and stick to them. Let them motivate you to your goal. Never lose focus of what you are doing. Things will interfere, things will come up that will challenge your goals. Understand that, respect that. Don’t force the goals or the progress, just keep pushing forward and they will come.