I'm convinced that the secret to success in most things is consistency over time. Sure, you may have some short term success at certain things by really focusing singularly on that thing and see what you can accomplish, but if you want to be really successful, you need to stay consistent as well, with occassional bursts to get to a new level or the needed recharge of energy.
This applies to the physical build up of sport of course, but to many other things in life as well... relationships, career, mental pursuits, hobbies, art...
When I look back on my more successful running, my most successful times have been built slowly on a strong foundation with occassional stress sessions. Too much stress and things start to fall apart, too little stress and things stagnate and you lose interest... then you start to decline because you start to lose consistency.
I've been swimming a bit more lately, but am not yet into a routine that will allow me to practice the 'consistency over time' principle. I was moving in that direction for a couple of weeks, but the routine was difficult to maintain, so I lost consistency. This, I suppose is another thing to watch for - ensuring the consistency is viable with other aspects of your life.
I should have been a philospher - or maybe write a segment for Triathlete magazine ; )
Well, I had a nice swim today. Getting stronger, but not staying consistent, so not improving and the hard sessions are too hard. I think there are a few ways to get consistent and stay consistent:
1. have a plan
1.5. write it down
2. believe in the plan - know it will work and have the intended affect
3. embrace the plan - commit
4. live the plan - don't just execute it - it shouldn't be something separate from the rest of your life - it is part of you
5. check progress against the plan
6. adjust the plan - don't just blindly follow it - learn from it and revise it
How many plans can you juggle at the same time? Work, career, fitness, finances, vacation... it gets pretty crazy when you step back because each of these 'categories' may many plans.
Ok, that's it for today boys and girls. I've got some planning to do!
This applies to the physical build up of sport of course, but to many other things in life as well... relationships, career, mental pursuits, hobbies, art...
When I look back on my more successful running, my most successful times have been built slowly on a strong foundation with occassional stress sessions. Too much stress and things start to fall apart, too little stress and things stagnate and you lose interest... then you start to decline because you start to lose consistency.
I've been swimming a bit more lately, but am not yet into a routine that will allow me to practice the 'consistency over time' principle. I was moving in that direction for a couple of weeks, but the routine was difficult to maintain, so I lost consistency. This, I suppose is another thing to watch for - ensuring the consistency is viable with other aspects of your life.
I should have been a philospher - or maybe write a segment for Triathlete magazine ; )
Well, I had a nice swim today. Getting stronger, but not staying consistent, so not improving and the hard sessions are too hard. I think there are a few ways to get consistent and stay consistent:
1. have a plan
1.5. write it down
2. believe in the plan - know it will work and have the intended affect
3. embrace the plan - commit
4. live the plan - don't just execute it - it shouldn't be something separate from the rest of your life - it is part of you
5. check progress against the plan
6. adjust the plan - don't just blindly follow it - learn from it and revise it
How many plans can you juggle at the same time? Work, career, fitness, finances, vacation... it gets pretty crazy when you step back because each of these 'categories' may many plans.
Ok, that's it for today boys and girls. I've got some planning to do!
No comments:
Post a Comment