When putting together a training program, one of the most overlooked aspects are the little things. I like to call them training gaps. Both before and after, I like to revisit the movement assessment and make sure i have gotten everything in that the athlete needs and then I sit back and ask myself, "What are we missing?"
This is a HUGE component but it also reinforces a common theme in both training and life. We can't get to everything at once. Nor should we. This is why setting long term plans in to motion are key. If I tried to get everything in to everyone's training plans, they'd be training 6 hours per day. No one likes that. Not even the strength coach. So we need to look at the long term goals of the athlete (or business, or family, or relationships, etc) and sit down, assess what is the most immediate need and tackle that first. Once that block of training has been completed, re-assess and re-plan.
When assessing, we must always ask: 1) Did we accomplish our goals? 2) If so, let's move on. If not, re-assess why, and take what still needs to be done in to our next training block while also adding on to what we've accomplished.
Two examples are a client wants to add 10 lbs of lean muscle mass while also dropping 3 lbs of body fat. We put together a plan to add mass, drop fat and match up a nutrition plan to achieve those goals. After that time frame passes, we ask, did the client achieve his or her goals. This is not a time for excuses, just simple yes or no. And if no, why not? This is where the assessment and after action becomes tricky. Most people unsuccessful at their goal find the reasons why they weren't successful instead of owning what happened and fixing it. When it comes to fitness, excuses are as plentiful as unracked weights in a gym. I got sick, this happened, that happened, all of these things "happened." Unfortunately, your goals don't care. Sure, things happened, but are they REALLY enough to derail you from your goals? If so, maybe the goal wasn't THAT important.
Let's look at business and life. Fitness and strength are just a small part of our daily lives (but should they be?). Are we setting goals for the year? Are we setting PLANS to actually attain those goals? Are we setting time lines to actually achieve those smaller goals? And if not, why not?
Let's look at business. If you're in sales, I'm sure you have sales goals to hit. Ideally, we'd like to surpass those MINIMUM goals set. So, are we taking the idea that you have 12 months (11, now) to hit that goal, or are we breaking down that number in to chunks that are more manageable, create better accountability and we can course correct when needed?
Well, to make a long story the appropriate length. THESE are the gaps. Yes, the little things along the way, that get us to our BIG goal. The reassessments, the "what am I missing" pieces that allow us to course correct when needed. It's the core work for being strong, it's the extra bit homework done on a client to close a sale...the gaps.
So, the next time you write out your plan, whether it's for fitness, life or business....make sure you fill in the gaps.
This is a HUGE component but it also reinforces a common theme in both training and life. We can't get to everything at once. Nor should we. This is why setting long term plans in to motion are key. If I tried to get everything in to everyone's training plans, they'd be training 6 hours per day. No one likes that. Not even the strength coach. So we need to look at the long term goals of the athlete (or business, or family, or relationships, etc) and sit down, assess what is the most immediate need and tackle that first. Once that block of training has been completed, re-assess and re-plan.
When assessing, we must always ask: 1) Did we accomplish our goals? 2) If so, let's move on. If not, re-assess why, and take what still needs to be done in to our next training block while also adding on to what we've accomplished.
Two examples are a client wants to add 10 lbs of lean muscle mass while also dropping 3 lbs of body fat. We put together a plan to add mass, drop fat and match up a nutrition plan to achieve those goals. After that time frame passes, we ask, did the client achieve his or her goals. This is not a time for excuses, just simple yes or no. And if no, why not? This is where the assessment and after action becomes tricky. Most people unsuccessful at their goal find the reasons why they weren't successful instead of owning what happened and fixing it. When it comes to fitness, excuses are as plentiful as unracked weights in a gym. I got sick, this happened, that happened, all of these things "happened." Unfortunately, your goals don't care. Sure, things happened, but are they REALLY enough to derail you from your goals? If so, maybe the goal wasn't THAT important.
Let's look at business and life. Fitness and strength are just a small part of our daily lives (but should they be?). Are we setting goals for the year? Are we setting PLANS to actually attain those goals? Are we setting time lines to actually achieve those smaller goals? And if not, why not?
Let's look at business. If you're in sales, I'm sure you have sales goals to hit. Ideally, we'd like to surpass those MINIMUM goals set. So, are we taking the idea that you have 12 months (11, now) to hit that goal, or are we breaking down that number in to chunks that are more manageable, create better accountability and we can course correct when needed?
Well, to make a long story the appropriate length. THESE are the gaps. Yes, the little things along the way, that get us to our BIG goal. The reassessments, the "what am I missing" pieces that allow us to course correct when needed. It's the core work for being strong, it's the extra bit homework done on a client to close a sale...the gaps.
So, the next time you write out your plan, whether it's for fitness, life or business....make sure you fill in the gaps.