You don’t need a better goal. You need better problems.
If you find yourself getting excited to tackle a big fitness goal, but then burning out a few weeks in, you don’t need a better goal.
You need to choose better problems.
Let me explain.
Take a marathon, for example.
Wanting to complete a marathon sounds pretty cool.
But that’s the shiny object at the end of the road.
And while that excitement can be enough to jump start us, it’s like lighter fluid that burns quickly and then flares out.
The challenges of running a marathon though? Those are here to stay.
- Scheduling long runs when you’re tired
- Managing nagging aches
- Learning foot care and blister prevention (not to mention chafing!)
- Meal planning and prepping to support recovery from your runs
- Prioritizing sleep over Netflix time so you can get up for that early morning run
- Adjusting training when things don’t go according to plan
Way less glamorous than imagining yourself crossing the finish line.
But here’s the thing – if you can learn to embrace those parts of the process, then you’re basically 100% guaranteed to complete the race.
Because the problems and the process are the parts that actually matter.
It’s only when we set a big goal without ALSO realizing we’re choosing the problems that come along with it that we set ourselves up for failure.
As Mark Manson says (paraphrasing):
Stop obsessing over goals.
Start choosing the problems you’re willing to have.
A lot of people say they want to:
- “Get in shape”
- “Build strength”
- “Lose weight”
- “Be more consistent”
But the real question is:
Can you embrace the process that gets you there?
If you can, then you’re well on your way.
And if the answer is no, that’s not a failure.
It’s information.
And it gives you permission to adjust the goal you’re aiming for and choose problems that work for you – on your messiest weeks and not just your best ones.
I’d love to hear from you! What problems are you embracing?
-Matt
P.S. At Nerd Fitness, we’re nerds who don’t just love fitness. We love coaching.
