BY LESLEY TIMBOL
THE DANGERS OF FOCUSING ON WINNING
BY LESLEY TIMBOL
You may read the title and think , WTF ? Yes ; winning is what athletes strive for of course , but humour me by allowing me to ask you a question .
What does setting a high standard mean in sports ? Typically it refers to establishing a high level of quality , expectation , or performance . Many athletes set winning as the standard . Here ’ s the problem . While winning may be the goal , defining success in those narrow terms is problematic . How you ask ? Well , when you JUST focus on wins , Pro titles & prestigious shows , such as the Arnold ’ s and the Olympia , competitive pressure increases to maintain that standard . Under those conditions , some bodybuilders become hyper-nervous and make more mistakes and bad decisions . Sometimes , setting an excessive winning standard leads to
underperformance and subsequently losing a show .
But fear not ; there is a better standard to strive for … and that ’ s a standard of excellence . Committing to excellence is more than just showing up at a competition and trying to win . When you have a standard of excellence , you commit to preparing and working to win every moment in practices as well as in competitions .
When you set a standard of excellence , you take pride in your preparation . * You show up on time to train regularly maintaining a strong mind-muscle connection . * You do your prescribed cardio . * You don ’ t miss a meal and stick to your meal plan . * You practice your mandatory poses and routine ( if required for your category ). * You don ’ t lie to your coach . * You strive to be your best by challenging yourself and stepping outside your comfort zone . * You commit to continuously sharpen