We are now into our second blog addressing how to combat mental burnout, and how to avoid getting mental burnout in the first place. Last time I discussed the importance of getting a community. This time I will address the importance of having a time-sensitive goal related to your training. Today my advice is concrete and simple (note, simple does not necessarily mean easy):
Sign up for two events.
Yep, you read that right - sign up for not one, but two events. First I want you to sign up for one competition that is relatively soon, ideally within the next three months. Then I want you to sign up for another competition that is further down the line, but ideally still within the next twelve months. The purpose of the first competition is to light a fire under your butt and bring back some intensity and purpose to your training. The second competition is to help keep that fire lit, in order to preemptively combat mental burnout before it starts. From there, every time you complete a competition or an event, sign up for another one that is set to take place within the next year. While it is not a good idea to compete all of the time (this will simply swap physical burnout for mental burnout), it’s an excellent idea to always have one or two things on the horizon to motivate your training.
I know that not all of you have a physical passion that is related to a competitive sport. Some of you practice yoga, some of you do pilates, some of you take F45 or other similar classes. This rule still applies to you! If you do yoga, pick a challenging pose or flow that you don’t have down yet, and commit to a date by which you will have it. If you do pilates, pick a specific goal - the amount of time you can hold a pose, or your flexibility in a certain position - and again commit to a date by which you will have it. If you do F45, commit to a certain number of classes within a specific timeframe, or pick a competition which will showcase your improving fitness - a 5k run or a sprint triathlon, for example. This advice can be tied to any physical activity, as long as you have these three things: You need a challenging but attainable goal, a commitment date, and other people who are aware of your challenge and will hold you accountable to it. The accountability is hugely important, so don’t skip this part! These people can be your yoga instructors, your classmates, or anyone else who has an understanding of the physical challenge you are setting for yourself.
I would be remiss if I didn’t include that yes, I know we’re still living in COVID times. But one good thing that’s come out of this pandemic is that people are getting creative with how to compete. If you’re not comfortable competing in person, sign up for virtual competitions instead. This can be anything - a CrossFit competition, a 10k, a yoga challenge, a weightlifting competition, you name it. Pick your poison and commit.
Lastly, if you want my advice - which I’m hoping you do if you’re reading this - don’t buy the cancellation insurance. Really commit. Burn the ships.