When you start your training at Chicago Fit Performance the first thing we ask you to do is to write down your goals. Most people say socially accepted things like “I want to lose weight.” “I want toned arms.” “I want a flat stomach.” These are all great things, but they are just a byproduct of your “why.” What is it deep down inside that motivates you to take action every day and create a healthy lifestyle for yourself? What is your “why?”
It might sound like a cliche but fitness is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and dedication to see results, and if we don’t have a strong enough why, we can get caught up in the day-to-day. That’s why we highly recommend you find your “whys” and write them down. Keep them somewhere you can see them daily. Pictures are worth a 1000 words, so put them up in pictures! There is no wrong “why”, it just needs to have meaning and be personal to YOU!
Maybe your why is your health... maybe your “why” is your children, family and friends! Get a picture of you with your kids, spouse, best friend, and keep them where you can see them. Maybe your “why” is an event or physical achievement. Keep a picture of your finish line, hike, optimal body fat percentage, wedding day photo, the new pair of skinny jeans, etc., right out where you can see it every day. Whatever your “why,” keep it in front of you at all times. Once you get to the route of what your “why” is, it CHANGES and DRIVES you. All of a sudden solutions will start presenting themselves to your problems. The hurdles become crystal clear and you start to take action and make things happen. All because you found out what dives you, you found your why. Discovering your WHY is the most important step to changing as it gets your mind right. It is a critical first step that I include in our program because once you find your “why” and your mind is focused, you cannot be stopped!
I think we are all designed for effort toward a goal and we all hunger for achievement. There is nothing more invigorating than having something in the future for which we need to prepare. People are most powerful when they clearly know their “why.” There is magic and boundless energy available to the person that has a big “why” for which they strive. When you have a big enough “why,” you will figure out “how.”
The how to do something becomes apparent to the person that has the biggest reason “why” they must do it. Do you have a clearly defined “why” that you could quickly summarize? If there is something for which you will gladly get up early, stay up late or sacrifice whatever it takes or costs to make it happen, the chances are that you do. If you don’t think you have a strong “why” in your life right now, I suggest that you ask yourself what you really want from life and find one. To live without some big “why’s” sounds more like getting through life than getting from it. So what’s your Why?
In Chicago Fit Performance it all starts with having a Compass or direction. If you want to make significant improvements in your life you need to have a reason. So ask yourself, what’s my why? Why do I want to start a training program? What’s my goal, what do I really want out of this? This is powerful, because if your why isn’t important enough to you, your likely to end up like most people that make New Year’s resolutions and give up. However when you set a goal for yourself backed by a strong reason you will stick to a program and in the end see results. To have a gift and not use it is to waste it. If you know there is a “why” that you constantly think of and is worth going after, you must pursue it. No matter the hard work or the risk, it is your responsibility to yourself and your ancestors to take your swing at the plate with your best effort. Life is too short for you to waste years with your greatness kept inside of you. So many times in life we give ourselves the “no” that stops us from chasing our goals and dreams. If someone is going to give you a “no” let it be someone else. And when you do receive the occasional “no” from someone trying to say your “why” isn’t worth chasing, I say don’t listen anyway. Excuses or Solutions… YOU Decide! What to do next? **The 5 Why's Exercise: Aligning Goals with Values** This is a simple, yet powerful exercise that really cuts to the core of WHY we want something. Here’s how it works: You start by asking one why: "Why do I want to do this?" Then, with whatever answer you come up with, you ask why to that first answer... and so on, five times. Here's an example from a CFP client who wants to lose fat.
Wow. That’s a lot of insight for a few little questions. In order to be truly happy, healthy, strong, and fit, we have to live according to our most deeply held values. When we don’t do what we believe or feel in our gut to be "right", we feel rotten and our bodies show it. Our energy “leaks” out. We get weak - in body, mind, and spirit. But when we live according to our values, life (and, often, good health) "flows" almost effortlessly. We get - and stay - strong and powerful. Now it's your turn. Why do you want to achieve your goals? Get to the core.
We know each of you has an inspiring story that keeps you focused and motivated. We’re here at Chicago Fit Performance to help you find your “why” and get you on track to accomplishing your goals. Set up your complimentary strategy session (click here) and let us help you find your “whys” and get you on track to your success story!
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