I want to be a successful fantasy author.
But just because "I want to" doesn't mean it will happen.
For lots of people, myself included, "I want to" isn't a good enough reason to actually do the things we need to do to get results.
Because "I want to" typically doesn't outweigh the effort we need to make a change.
Let's use a very dramatic example...
"I want to become the best bodybuilder on the planet."
Okay- To do that I need to...
- Workout 5-6 days per week for 90-180 minutes
- Track my food VERY meticulously and measure everything I consume
- Eat 5-6 meals per day on a scheduled timeline
- Avoid too much exercise outside of the gym (aka can't play with my dogs too much)
- Starve myself for 4 weeks approaching the bodybuilding show
- Decrease my carbs to near 0 grams, avoid salt, and water when nearing the show
- Get a spray tan and walk around on stage in a banana hammock thong
- Take loads of steroids
You know what- I don't think I want to be the best bodybuilder anymore.
The "I want to" doesn't outweigh the effort.
___
Now let's go back to more realistic goals.
"I want to..."
- Increase my deadlift by 100 lbs
- Build more muscle
- Lose 30 lbs
All of these are common examples of goals people want.
And they all require a change in training & nutrition.
You want to build 10 lbs of muscle?
Great! Here's a workout routine and a meal plan to follow. It's free of charge- just do it!
- It's going to take 6 months to of effort
- You'll need to work out 4 times per week
- Track your calories and eat enough protein everyday.
Will the effort needed for the workout routine and meal plan outweigh the "I want to build 10 lbs of muscle"?
Maybe!
But let's turn that "maybe" into a "yes" by upping the stakes!
Same exact goal.
Same exact process.
BUT!
Now I'm going to take $10,000 from you that you will get back IF you reach the goal.
Now the "I want to" has become "I better"
"I don't want to waste all that money"
The stakes were officially upped.
Now I'm not saying that you need to put money on the line to achieve your goals.
Accountability works the same way!
"I want to" plus accountability from someone else → "I don't want to disappoint..."
Or if it's more of a competition "I want to win"
How you Up the Stakes all kinda depends on you and your goals.
I highly recommend you work on figuring out which way motivates you the most!
My boss recently challenged me to a Lunge Off- We both increased the intensity of our training big time and both got stronger, much faster because the Stakes were Upped.
Most of my stuff I give away for free- so if you want to Up the Stakes for achieving your goals...
You can try working out with a friend→ Here's my training app
Or
You can do the Nutrition Tracking Challenge with a friend→ Just send them here.
