Ever noticed how trying to concentrate intently, actually makes it harder to concentrate sometimes? Maybe you’ve tried to put a nagging partner out of your mind, a pressing issue, or a high pressure appointment to one side for a while? Perhaps you are in a constant battle to do what it is you have to, want to and promised yourself you would do for the sake of reaching your goal.
Whichever one of the above (if any) apply to you, whatever it is that’s standing in your way, there is one thing that needs adjusting...your focus! When you feel as though you’re wavering from your goal either through lack of motivation, poor results, not enough time or other issues that rightly or wrongly take priority...step back and remember why it is you started in the first place. If you’re not doing what you want to because of a partner, a job, or another life commitment, then at some point it's probably going to face the brunt of your resentment. A health, fitness or training regimen is like a relationship, it requires commitment to the cause and devotion…a relationship on the other hand (unless your partner trains with you) may want the commitment and devotion side, but is often unwilling to 'share' meaning your training falls to the wayside! Is this the way it should be??
No! Absolutely not, it’s vexatious to change all of what you did before, most of what defined you at the start, just to suit a relationship. Compromise is key, and we all need to make some sacrifices when in a relationship. This may mean doing something you don’t really want to do such as training less often, or restructuring your training regimen, but this principle holds true for training too…I mean, who really wants to observe a rest day…but you do it right?
I feel myself focusing on the relationship side of things, and this is mainly because I speak from experience, but you may have other life challenges that make ‘compromising’ a must, and thus remaining focused difficult. Training whilst maintaining a relationship can be tough, you have to be singing from the same hymn sheet, and if it’s meant to be a compromise will be found. This goes for whatever your commitment may be too; if you want it enough you will make arrangements, sacrifices and take steps to meet your end.
Yes…it comes down to focus, the lines between what you want and need may be blurred, especially when training is involved, so it’s down to you to keep your eye on the ball, cos if you want it enough you’ll make a plan, and if you don’t …you’d better plan to fail.
