How to Train Your MIND to Achieve your Goals

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Last Updated: December 16th, 2024 at 11:19 pm

You likely have fitness goals for this year

Whether or not you will achieve them is always a game with many variables

Some of those variables are outside of your direct control and sometimes you’ll have to submit to fate in some way

But there are many variables which you DO control when working towards your goals

One of the most underrated variables in your control is your own self talk when thinking and talking about your goals

The mental landscape can be difficult to navigate because you can’t see or touch your thoughts physically


Your thoughts influence your actions

Your actions produce tangible real world results

Your real world results impact your beliefs about yourself

Your beliefs about yourself influence your thoughts

And around the circle goes


If you have positive thoughts, this becomes a positive feedback loop

One that you can use to produce results and create the life you want for yourself

This is what my friends and I did when we got into triathlon years ago

At the time, we didn’t think we could do a full 140.6 Ironman so we started by signing up for a 70.3 Ironman

But we didn’t want to only ever just do half

And we didn’t want to lose sight of the full Ironman

Starting from the day we signed up for the 70.3, we told ourselves and spoke in terms like:
 “When we do an Ironman…”
“Which Ironman are we going to do?”
“This training is easier than what it’ll be when we’re training for the full Ironman!”Instead of:
“We’ll see how this race goes and then maybe we’ll sign up for an Ironman”
“Triathlon is hard! I’m not sure if we can do an Ironman.”This positive mental framing kept our eyes on the prize and programmed our mind to rise to the challenge

Think and speak to others in ways that lead you to the results you want

Apply that to whatever goal you have for yourself for 2024 and watch your actions begin to align with your thoughts

“When I get back into running…”
“When I race the 5K this year…”
“When I join the running club…”

Not starting those sentences with “if” …

For those interested in completing a 5K this year, the Evanston Running Club will be starting their 0-5K program on March 24th, 2024 with goal race of Ricky Byrdsong 5K on June 16th, 2024

Here is the link to find out more information about signing up If your goal is to get back into running or complete a 5K this year, I hope you think:

“WHEN I complete the 5K this year…”
“WHEN I sign up for the 0-5K program…”

Happy runnin

Dr. Michael

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