Summer Goals 2014

Even though summer has only just officially begun, it sure already feels like summer in our book. But y’know, we’re not ones to argue with science, so now that it’s “officially” summer, it’s time to get working on some summer goals (aka we were slacking on getting these done sooner, so let’s use the summer solstice as a cover up… sound like a plan? ok great).

As you know, we have gone back and forth over the past year about the best ways to set goals. At first we started with “SMART” Goals, setting Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals using grammatically questionable present-tense statements about the future, i.e. “I have a bodyweight clean and jerk by January 1.” But the goals we made that time around didn’t really stick. We found that while “SMART” goals can be very useful for short-term goals, for us the minute level of specificity that they required ended up feeling more limiting than encouraging when it came to longer-term goals.

After those goals fell on their faces, we spent some time talking about how not reaching your goals can sometimes be just as useful as reaching them, because as long as you abandon a goal for a good reason (and not just because you’re feeling lazy), that practice in and of itself can help you clarify what you want. But we all also sort of knew that we were just saying that because we felt kind of bad when life got in the way of our laundry list of super specific, time-sensitive goals.

So this time around, our goal setting process was a little more intentional, and we tried not to over-think them (read: we kind of came up with them at the last minute). Some of these goals are small, some are ongoing, some are specific, some are more abstract. But that feels like it fits us a little better than rigid guidelines, don’t you think?

From Claire:

When I started to think about my goals for the next few months, I wanted to be more specific about what that work would look like on a day-to-day basis. So instead of goals like “Get a muscle up” or “Have a bodyweight clean and jerk,” instead I focused on the daily and weekly activities that would get me to those places. This way, I can keep those larger objectives in mind, but still be able to stick to my daily goals if progress is slower than expected.

Claire’s Summer Goals
(July 1 – October 1, 2014)

Work on pull-ups 3x/week
Work on wall balls 3x/week
20 minutes mobility 4x/week (or equivalent)
Clean eating 5 days/week until July 30 (when we leave for our honeymoon!)
Complete Wendler Cycle for strict press, OH squat, and front squat by July 30

From Joy:

Goals!! Ahhhh goals make me nervous so I decided to keep my goals light and airy this time around. Or at least that’s how they appear in my brain. As you know I’m not a fan of limits (the limit does not exist!!) whether it be food challenges or structured oly days, I just want to do what I want to do when I want to do it (eternal teenager). I’m going to think of these goals as ‘guides’ to keeping me grounded and happy.

Joy’s Summer Goals
(July 1 – October 1, 2014)

Yoga 2-3 times per week
Meditate at least once a week
Go on a hike or two! Enjoy the mountains!
Less time reading my phone and MORE time reading my awesome books (keep phone out of the bedroom)
Do hollow rocks before/after every WOD
Work on squats and pull-ups at least once a week

So there you have it, our Summer 2014 goals! Check in with Episode 51 tomorrow to hear more about our goal-making process and a little bit more about the ever-changing advice that’s out there about goal-setting, and also to hear a few bonus goals!