I know you have all heard the saying “it is about doing the little things right”. It is so true, but to add on to that you have to do the little things right and you have to do them often. The people who go on to be really good at what they do, pay attention to the small details. They never just go through the motions they make every ounce of eveyrthing they do count towards their success.
What Counts as the Little Things
The little things count as everything that is not major. That may sound kind of stupid but that is how simple it can be. You would never just skip practice as a whole but there are things at practice that are not as important as others that you may take it easy on for no reason. Anything in your training that you think is not a big deal is one of the little things that add up to be a big deal.
For example as a track athlete I know a lot of people who like to skip bounding at the ends of their workouts for what ever reason. One day is not big deal but by the end of the year I realized that anyone who had skipped bounding every time we do it all semester had missed about 1600m worth of bounding. That is what happens, those little things turn around and become huge things that bite you in the butt.
Everything stems back to being consistent. Get used to being GREAT on a daily basis. Tony the tiger does not come out amped in one commercial then slouching and not very excited in the next. He is consistently GREAT everytime.
Tips to Be Consistent
- Get used to living your life by routine
- Don’t see things you skip as a one time event, look at the big picture
- Act as if eyes are always on you
- Remember that when you cheat you are not letting your coach down you are letting yourself down
- Everyday in everyway look to get better and better
- Give 10% more effort on everything you do
- Constantly remind yourself of where you want to be
It is important that you get in the weight room and work hard, that is a major thing. You must back that up with making sure you do your abs at the end of the workout, or stretching after your workout, and doing the all the annoying rehab you must do to stay healthy. Those are the little things that seprate the wishes from the ones who go out and make it happen day in and day out.
(Original image by n1zyy)
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Every article on this site speaks the truth, especially this one. Unfortunately, I will admit that was me during the beginning of XC season. But now that it’s over and I’ve started base, I have cut out all junk food, and am going to keep it that way. Because I realized that not eating healthy makes it harder to make progress, and I have been recovering much quicker since I cleaned up my diet. I also now take the drills and stretches seriously after each run and workout, because doing can help a lot down the road. Since I have done these things, I become more and more motivated everyday to work hard, because I know that if I do, someday I’ll reach my dreams. I am also gained this mentality that I have to work harder than anyone else in order to be the best, and I love it.
This is what I like to hear man. Those little things you do are what will make the biggest difference. Too many times we look at other talented athletes and say “well they don’t eat well, or they dont do this or that”. That is not staying in your own lane. Maybe if they were doing those things they would be that much better. The key is to be consistent. Eating bad one day is no biggie because that is not what you always do. The same is to be said for eating good one day. It will do nothing at all for you. Stuart my friend, you will be very successful one day. Just keep plugging away at the little things because the big things are easy to keep up with. Thanks for the comment.
My coach and I are implementing this in my workout and it is so true, it what make the difference between me and the rest of my training group.
Awesome Pierre, this is what I like to hear. Thanks for the comment!
I have to say this post inspired me. Lots of times after a workout I’ll feel like it’s too late or I’m too tired to do my abs, or do extra forearm work for grip strength. But when the pros place so much emphasis on these little types of training for my sport, how can I expect to rise if I don’t do the same? Glad to say I did both today but consistency is the key, no excuses. It’s always good to have that reminder.
That is the key to it Sky, no excuses. When it comes to abs that is always my thing that I will come up with any excuse to not do them. After I take the time to do them though I am always happy I did. It’s those small things that make the biggest difference. Thanks for the comment and I hope to inspire you again in the futue.
Ian, you are such an inspiration. Waking up everyday at 5:30 a.m to train by myself its not easy, but reading this kind of things make me keep going. Thanks dude, sometimes its very hard to be consistent yet so important!
I totally hear you on that. When I have morning weights, my alarm will go off somedays and everything in my body wants to stay in bed and sleep more. I can make a million excuses to do so, but at the end of the day getting that training in is so important. If you prove to yourself you can do anything on a consistent bases you will be successful at anything you touch in life. I hope your training goes well Martin. I appreicate the comment and I hope to continue to inspire you.