Competing Against Yourself (The secret of 2.5 lb weights)

I wasn't super successful in sports growing up, but have become passionate about weight lifting now as I near the end of my 40s. I don't know if it's a desire to look better than I did in my 20s or just my desire NOT to give up Pop Tarts!

One of the most important things I've learned from my workouts is the secret of competing against myself. I keep a detailed journal of each and every workout. I write down the dates, exercise performed and the weight I used. The smallest weight I can add when I lift is 2.5 pounds. I try to add at least that much weight every time I work on a particular body part. If I can't add any weight then I try to do one or extra reps.

The key to all this is my record keeping...which is unfortunate because like most salespeople...I hate paperwork! I do understand though the importance of keeping track of each and every workout to track my progress.

It's the same way with my daily sales calls. I keep a tracking sheet by the phone so I can see where I stand at any moment. I'll look and see that I need just "X" more calls to get to a certain plateau before lunch, a break or the end of the day so I will force myself to make those last calls. This little competition I have with myself will force me to continue on instead of getting up to leave.

There is an old adage that goes, "That which gets measured gets done or improved." Figure out the steps you normally take to accomplish a goal, track your progress in writing and have a little competition with yourself. You will notice that you get more accomplished and feel better when you have those minor "wins" along the way (adding an extra 2.5 weight or making a few extra calls).

If you are in constant competition with others, you almost always end up disappointed (unless your name happens to be Tiger and you play golf) but if you compete only against yourself, you will make yourself a lot better at anything you choose. Good advice for both business and life.

Happy Selling!

Comments

[AJF 12]

Might you might have good enough happiness for making you sweet, an adequate amount of trials to produce you robust, plenty of sorrow to continue to keep you human, plenty hope for making you glad.