We all love it when doing the things results in PRs and gainz, and fist bumps and high fives, and “nailed it” styles hooping and hollering.
And in this testing week, many of you are hoping for PRs in most things you do . . . and my prediction is some of you will get quite a few – because your success is 98 and ¾ % guaranteed (the other 1 ¼ %) comes from that place inside your head and your heart that gives you that ‘edge’.
Yes it is almost a given that a portion of you will definitely achieve this level of gain. It is also almost a given that coaches know ahead of time who will shine.
It is the portion of you that like to do the things well.
You see, results are merely a math equation – not the math equation that follows the premise that says lift heavy, lift fast, just lift the weights and you’ll get stronger so you will get them gainz. Or the equation that says swing on the rig to do a pull up, let’s not go strict.
Because the real equation looks like this:
Natural Ability + Trained Ability + Behaviour = Results
Natural ability is your god-given, blessed with something, talent for this stuff.
Trained ability in my book outweighs natural ability in leading to results. Trained ability is a result of your putting in the time, coming to classes, chasing the next goal and keeping on going until you reach it, then finding another . . . A person who works hard, will almost inevitably end up better than someone with natural talent, who puts in little work.
But behaviour is the biggest determinant of all.
Behaviour determines whether Natural ability shines or is hidden.
Behaviour determines the level of Trained Ability we achieve. Because the wrong type of work won’t necessarily get you far either.
Behaviour determines who falls into the 98 and ¾ % guaranteed.
It is those of you who take the time to focus on doing things well. It is those who have the character and humility to take a step away from the heavy stuff, and who are content with using just a bar until a movement pattern is consolidated. It is those who once that is consolidated only put a teeny bit more weight on (not racking it up another 10kgs and expect the lift to go exactly the same).
Being an athlete requires being coachable. Sometimes that is hard, sometimes it is a pain in the ass. But someone that is coachable knows the value in having someone there to say the hard stuff, and be that pain in the ass. We will help build you up, your nerve, your confidence, and your knowledge . . . but we should not be there merely to feed your Ego.
Because coaching requires character as well. Telling you what you want to hear, letting you do things just because you want to, missing aspects of lifts or not pulling you up on them is not coaching, it is cheerleading.
So as coaches we are here saying good lifting to you this week (luck should not come into it – behaviour and character determines whether you will succeed – not luck). We are here to support and champion you, whatever level you are at.
As coaches, when the week is over, we want you to do a bit of analysis . . .
Did my behaviour help or hinder me and what can I do to better develop those behaviours that will be beneficial?
See you on the other side kids 🙂