A Mental Framework for Outsized Returns

There's no such thing as "winning" in this game.

Today I’ve got a short post from a story I recently shared about an easy mental framework i’ve adopted when talking with athletes about coaching:

When I first get on an intro call with some of you interested in coaching, you have a specific goal, have a tremendous baseline for strength and endurance, and are looking for the next step.

Others are in a relative beginner state (regardless of past behavior, we’re only as good as the last 12 months of training). 

The framework: If you were to continue down the same path, where would you be mentally and physically in 10 years? In your ideal future, what would you look and feel like in 10 years, contrary to the first question?

You answer that and we can run from there.

I don’t proclaim to be able to solve all of life’s issues. But small adjustments to training and lifestyle over a long enough time horizon can generate outsized returns and habits that last decades. 

It’s really quite simple. Identify specifically what you want to look like, your energy levels, your sleep quality, your libido, your ability to focus, spend time with kids/spouse/family/friends. Then take small steps towards that in an effort to build habits that will take you down that path.

A lot of people struggle with starting, or hopping on some form of training or diet without a true end goal. The thing is there is no end goal. I like to set the time horizon as far off as possible because there’s no such thing as “winning” in this game. Each day is a new round. A new challenge. No different than a career or a relationship. You don’t “win” at marriage or an intimate relationship, you have an excellent day with your spouse, or your kids, or your family/friends, only to start over the next day. But we have to be specific in what we want, because max pain is setting a goal and hitting it, only to find out it wasn’t what I wanted all along. 

This can take trial and error. Continuous self assessment. Speaking with others, gaining new insights, learning more and more about what we truly want in the future. 

By nailing down how you want to look and feel in 10 years, we can develop the habits, training, nutrition, and behaviors that will shape that future. They’re usually just small adjustments that create insane effects over a long enough time horizon. 

And hopefully, we train a new mentality — each day is it’s own challenge. Be present for one day’s workout. Put in the work required for success in that specific day’s challenge. The future has enough problems of its own. But success in one day continued over many will result in tremendous benefits far down the line.