Lifestyle conquer

February 2nd, 2013

19

Are You On Pace To Reach Your Goals?

By

Today is February 2, 2013 and you’re one month closer to death. What have you done this year to improve yourself? Some may say New Years resolutions are cop-outs for actually setting reasonable goals, instead of starting today we say “In a week I’ll hit the gym and finally get ripped!” I like the idea of coming up with goals and plans to achieve them for January 1st of the next year. The start of each year is a mental rebirth, January 1 is a new snow begging for you to make fresh tracks in it, a blank canvas yearning to be painted on.

However, many do use New Years resolutions to feel better about themselves. They gorge themselves on baked goods, drink heartily and fail to exercise throughout the month of December telling themselves that “next year will be different” and “just one last time before I change.” This is not the case for us here at Return of Kings. We are different — writers, readers, and commenters all strive to build themselves into the man they want to be.

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Personally, I had some slip-ups through the month of January, but what sets the determined apart from the shambling masses is that we pick ourselves up and keep pushing forward one step at a time . I started the year off strong my days and nights booked full with dates, time with girlfriends, reconnecting with old friends. I eschewed online dating and become more social during the day time. I broke PRs on all of my lifts, dropped a few pounds, and sought coaching for the Olympic lifts.

Most importantly I held myself accountable for all of my actions. If I ate too much, drank too much or didn’t take opportunities I should have, I picked myself up and adapted. Push forward and give everything you have. How bad do you want it?

What happens when you reach your goal? Do you aim higher, or do you stop there and remain content with being slightly above average? If you choose the latter and have finite, concrete goals you are already anticipating the day you can quit building yourself. You’re doomed for failure. Don’t ever miss an opportunity to get better, take risks , analyze your successes/failures, and don’t stop until you’ve surpassed your goals. Then strive to be better, faster and stronger.

What are your goals for 2013? Are they SMART? Do you have a purpose? Do you want to have sex with more beautiful women, learn a language, lift more weight and make more money? Do you have an accountability buddy or do you journal and meticulously track your progress?

How is your progress going?

Read Next: A Tale of Two Men



About the Author

is a biologist looking for the bigger picture of self-improvement and game. His column runs every Saturday.

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  • Trzer

    In the last week 4 people have commented on my physique (first time wearing a t-shirt after gaining srs weight). feelsgoodman.jpg
    I’ve been working out steady for the last 9 months and have gained 35lbs so far.

  • anon1

    just incase people haven’t seen arnolds 6 rules of success: (courtesy of D&P)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_299909&feature=iv&src_vid=LuJ4hbkLiY0&v=9Kg-zbJjlyA

  • John McNeill

    I’m going to be starting the Stronglifts 5×5 program on Monday. Should be interesting.

    • Western Cancer

      Good stuff, whatever you do make sure you’re consistent and you don’t mess with the program. I’d also suggest adding in some mobility work. I didn’t when I started and now I have bad habits in my form from being immobile.

      check out this http://70sbig.com/blog/2011/06/mobility-basics/

      and then mobility wod (the site that 70s big links too). Good luck!

    • http://www.brockonlife.com Brock

      Stronglifts 5×5 is an excellent program. Three years ago I weighed 68Kg and was weak. Now I weigh 92Kg (still pretty lean at 15% BF) and can squat and deadlift 170Kg and am entering my first competition in April. If you have patience and dedication, it will bring you great rewards.
      Also agree with Western Cancer – mobility and flexibility exercises will really help as well, but focus on the program in the beginning and add the rest with time.

  • prepman

    When the mass of mediocrity tell you, “you can’t,” “it’s impossible,” and “you’re crazy,” then, and only then, are you on the right track.

    • Western Cancer

      Exactly. People get jealous and they want you to fail (http://www.rooshv.com/everyone-is-hoping-that-youll-fail) because they can’t cope that someone they know is better than them. When people tell you those things just say “watch me”

    • taterearl

      Remember that mediocrity is as close to the bottom as it is to the top.

  • Ulf

    The argument has been made that setting goals can do more harm than good:

    http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5969.html
    http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2012/12/consider-not-setting-goals-in.html

    • http://fromayoungmansperspective.wordpress.com/ Gentsworth

      Ah, the beauty of the internet: No matter what anybody says, there’s always someone else saying the exact opposite, no exceptions.

      I really did like how the articles put emphasis on “areas of focus” rather than “specific goals,” or using a combination of the two. It all depends on the person and context I suppose.

    • Ross

      You set goals every waking second. You set a goal to take a dump when you feel cramps in your belly. You set a goal to buy food to eat. You set a goal to sleep, you set a goal to earn money, you set a goal to prosper. If that’s BAD, then you know what that means…you’re supposed to be dead and buried.

  • http://fromayoungmansperspective.wordpress.com/ Gentsworth

    I wrote my long list of goals and stuff a while ago:

    http://300daysofgoals.wordpress.com/list-of-goals/

    I’ve kind of turned it into a game of sorts. It’s fun.

  • http://www.percyruxman.com Ruxman

    New Years resolutions don’t work. real progress happens on boring dates like jan 14 or sep 2.

  • OlioOx

    @Western Cancer:

    Change your handle, it’s immature and gay. I never read a syllable of anything you post because of it and I never will.

    • Wanderlust

      Your loss. Western is my favorite form of cancer.

  • Giovonny

    I already reached my goals!

    Now what the fuck do I do?!?!?

    Answer: 1) New goals 2) Whatever the fuck I want!

  • Trouble

    My goal would be to bust a nut on that girls face.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Olleolle-Olleolleolle/100000459743611 Olleolle Olleolleolle

    Not emotionally dependent on CONQUER *ARNOLD POSE*, I find that a much better option for my wellbeing.

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