Just another day: Playing the long game

 By Coach Andrew Perry

It’s well known, by mid-January enthusiasm for, and commitment to, well intended and much considered New Year’s resolutions wains. Statistics suggest by February at the four-week mark, only 65% of people remain somewhat committed to resolutions and by six months, the figure drops to 46%. (1)
In fact, it takes approximately 66 days, more than two months to form a new habit, welcomed by our brain, to be efficient automated commons actions that ‘free up’ mental resources for other tasks. (2)
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So the point is? It’s a long game we’re playing … whether that’s staying true to a New Year’s resolution, embarking on an ironman for the first time or remaining committed to a training plan. 
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There’s no better time to be reminded of three key strategies for staying focused:

1. Establish a positive and ‘long-game’ mindset – understanding and acknowledging slow and steady wins the race. The hare and the tortoise showed, a consistent and persistent approach – even if that means slower – ultimately produces results. Setting your expectations from the start and committing to making achievable, incremental improvements will bring far greater mental and physical success than feeling the pressure to perform immediately. 
   
2. Set achievable goals and hold yourself to account – the ‘long-game’ ironman success is much easier when you’re engaged in purposeful goal setting along the way. Hitting goals, ticking off achievements and recording small wins in your preparation cultivates intrinsic reward, drives motivation, and ensures focus remains on the end goal. Holding yourself to account is key. Verbalising goals promotes commitment and accountability – whether you choose to engage a coach or share your goals with family and friends.
   
3. Recommit to your why – what is it that’s driving you to achieve and succeed? What is it that gets you out of bed to train every day? Harness the power of your ‘why’ (3) and use this to keep you focused on the end goal, through the good times and the challenges, especially those odds days when it feels like its possibly all too much. 

At T:Zero we support our athletes to live their potential through customised coaching to achieve success. We understand no two athletes are the same and each athlete’s long game is different.  Our coaches are here to keep you focused. Click here to find out more. 

Sources 

1. Norcross, J C, Mrykalo, M S, Blagys M D. Auld lang Syne: Success predictors, change processes, and self-reported outcomes of New Year's resolvers and nonresolvers. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jclp.1151 
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-form-a-habit#tips-and-tricks
3. https://simonsinek.com/find-your-why/ ​