Where Are You Going?

The other day, I got a phone call from an old friend. We talked about times past, but the number one thing I noticed was that he was constantly talking about the person he used to be - - the "badass" things he'd done, the successes he had - - and it occurred to me that he was still living in that time. As I thought about it more, I realized that one of the best ways to hold yourself back is to keep looking behind you. Where is he now? What is he proud of now? What is he working toward every day? The answer (in my opinion, not his) is nothing.

In training and in life, it is imperative that we live in the present and look toward the future. For me, it will ensure that I can get out of bed each day. And, if you know me, you know that recently that has been difficult for me. What am I looking forward to today? What am I working toward for tomorrow? What am I doing to prepare myself right now for what is down the road?

I was so sad for my friend. To be honest, I don't care who you WERE a few years ago. I don't care if you were a professional athlete 5 years ago. I don't care if you were a SEAL 5 years ago. I don't care if you used to have your own business but it shut down and now you're just trying to "figure out what's next." Frankly, no one is impressed by the person who reveals to her friends that she was homecoming queen in 1999. Sure, the past is formative, but it is not wholly definitive. Forward motion is determined by your current and present movement, not by the journey that has already transpired.

Back to my preliminary thoughts regarding the present and how this mindset of living in the present and looking toward the future is relevant to my daily trip to the box. I can translate this into training goals:

Goal:
1. DL: 220, BS: 150, BP: 110, SN: 85, PC: 115
2. 16.5% body fat (translation: 6 pack abs)
3. 5:50 mile
4. 12 dead hang PU
5. 3 unbroken MU

Work Input:
1. Work out 4+x/week
2. Focused nutrition and protein intake
3. 7-8 hrs sleep/night
4. Consistent schedule
5. 96 oz water/day

It takes small steps and a focused mind. Everyone should be looking forward, not behind. To me, there is little that is more sad than being proud of who you USED to be. It is so important to look in the mirror and be proud of who is looking back at that moment. To succeed in training or in life, you have to know where you are and where you want to go. Otherwise you'll keep spinning your wheels like my old friend trying to figure out how he ended up where he is, but so proud of where he used to be. Move forward. And remember: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.