Working with the end in mind….

OK, so you have an understanding of proactivity and a basic idea of working with the end in mind.  Awesome, you now have an edge over your competition.  We still have a long way to go, but remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.

So lets dig deeper into working with the end in mind.  What is so important about this concept, and how will it aid wrestlers?

1. When visualizing the end results, you need to use your imagination.  When you tap your creative energy you move from self-doubt into possibility.  Your creative mind only cares about what “can” happen not what won’t.  It does not know the definition of “can’t”.  Your mind does not discriminate between what is real and what is imagined.  So the more you operate at this energy level, the more your mind “see’s” you achieving your goal, the more confidence your “logical” mind receives to actually take action and pursue your goal.
2. When you visualize the end result, write down what it is.  Then think backwards about all the “milestones” you need to reach along the way.  Think in great detail, brainstorm everything and write it down.  Don’t worry if it seems like a bad idea, because the sorting will be done later.  When you write all the information down it creates an imprinted “booklet” in your cognitive mind, and the more you “see” the information, the more your mind believes it to be true.  As well as creating a cognitive link in your mind, you also have a visual aid or a road map to help if suddenly you get derailed or stalled along the way.
3. Lastly by creating this plan on paper it allows you to show it to your support staff.  When your support staff can see your ideas, they may even have some awesome ideas you never thought of.  This can lead to an even greater plan, and could open your mind to other possibilities.  This kind of joint effort is known as “synergy”, which by definition is the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual (1+1=3 idea).  This allows you to discuss your goals with your coach, parents, wife, girlfriend, whoever you have designated as your accountability partner.  Your accountability partner is essentially your milestone police; they are the one’s who will make sure you are staying on track, and kick your butt if your not.

In closing you would never drive somewhere strange without a road map, so why live your life without one?  Hopefully you now can see why planning your goals, writing them down and sharing them will help you achieve them.

Next we will discuss the circle of concern and the circle of influence and what they mean.

Thanks,

Gerry