Why setting resolutions is archaic | 3 Thing Thurs
What if 2020 is just a trailer of 2021, new years resolutions, goal setting, and habits
What is up! This is “Three Thing Thursday”. The monthly-ish newsletter that tries not to sound preachy. But in that same breath also wants to tell you about the cool and motivating endurance sport/life/goal setting things it has (aka I) have absorbed over the last 7 months of silence. And hopefully, help you start your new year right.
This newsletter is composed of “things”. These things may change each month. This month is an audio thing, a video thing, and an article thing.
Every edition I send you a quick curated list of a few interesting and cool things I’ve found or created to help you perform better as you get older. Everything can be applied to your endurance sport/health/fitness/life/career as it's all interchangeable. #SameSame
It's January and the beginning of a new decade. Fun fact -2020 was the last year of the decade. So not only did you get out of a "sh*tty year" you got out of a "sh*tty decade". But there is no guarantee next year and next decade will be any better unless you sort yourself out. (Solution is below)
[Damn, I actually picked this photo before the sh*t storm of 202]
Because it's a new decade I'll focus this month's newsletter on the timeless classic "Goal Setting". Or what most people call "New Year's resolutions". Which I think is absolute trash (Sorry... it's true).
So let's just...
Setting a resolution at the start of the year is cute but scientifically proven to be highly ineffective. Goal setting is mostly decent but still has a terrible track record (even though I'm talking about it in this newsletter). Creating systems, habits and consistency is what actually works. And beyond that figuring out how to work around the obstacles in your way is 100% the best way to spend your energy.
Alright, Dude - Gimme My Three Things!
Onto the three amazing things, you've been waiting for. The reason we set goals and objectives is to overcome obstacles. Obstacles are actually a good thing and I talked about them here in my DLake Deliberates Newsletter.
And as my dad once said about the black struggle...
0. Quote
"Goals are useful for setting the direction but systems are what actually makes progress. The reason for having a goal is that it tells you what sort of system you need.
Example;
For runners - your goal is to run a marathon. Your system is your training schedule for the month.
If you’re a coach, your goal is to win a championship. Your system is what your team does at practice each day.
If you’re a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week.
If you’re an entrepreneur/executive, your goal is to build a million-dollar business. Your system is your sales and marketing process."
1. Podcast Thing
Listen here.
A Master of some Endurance sport/health/fitness podcast episode I did about goal/objective setting.
While you may have heard or seen this episode, it’s still relevant. So listen again on 2x speed.
2. Video Thing
Watch here.
A super quick and easy sum up of the amazing book by Ryan Holiday “The Obstacle Is The Way”. This book is a different way to approach problems and suffering that can come up in your training, life or career. Think of it more like a fun game rather than the world ending. (I based a video about running into puddles on this concept)
THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY by Ryan Holiday | Core Message
3. Article Thing
Read here.
This is probably the cleanest and CLEARest guide to goal setting by the habit guru, James CLEAR (get it?!). I love him and quote him a lot, oh well. But dude is a boss at distilling down complex ideas to simple and approachable concepts. This can easily be applied to reaching new PRs and finishing races you've never done before.
Goal Setting: A Scientific Guide to Setting and Achieving Goals
That’s it for TTT January 2021. Thanks for reading this far.
If you have questions, comments, concerns, or hell - you want your work featured - hit me up.
Just reply to the email address or email talk@dlakecreates.com.
Oh - Feel free to follow me on Instagram for tutelage on commitment around endurance sports, stoic lulz, documentation around my training and woke self-improvement life quotes.