Your hunting season is finally over. What do you do next? That’s easy; you start thinking about next year’s season. That usually means setting some goals. But once you set them, how do you keep them from drifting away on the breeze in the first couple months? Here are some tips for setting lasting goals from MTNTOUGH, a holistic fitness program tailored to mountain hunters.
Connect your goals to your identity: People that perform best in their respective fields tend to focus on who they want to be not what they want to do. This mental reframe is a powerful one, because your identity shapes your actions. For example, people trying to quit smoking might say “I’m trying to quit.” This is focused on what they want to do. Those that say “I’m not a smoker” tie their goals into their identity (they are a nonsmoker) and are much more likely to ditch the cigarettes for good. Instead of saying, “I want to get into shape for hunting this coming season,” you should think of yourself as a disciplined hunter-athlete. Embrace discipline as a core part of your identity and you will be less likely to skip out on that morning workout.
Refuse negative self-perceptions: Push aside any thoughts that come from low self-esteem or insecurity. Instead, set your goals based on who you want to become, not on who you think you are now. For example, if you think of yourself as “too old” or “too weak” to lift weights, think again. This negative perception of yourself will create unhealthy habits such as not working out that reinforce your negative self-perception and lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy. You’re not too old; you’re not too weak; you’re going to be fit and strong. Motivate yourself to improve and grow.
Who we are is shaped by the actions we take daily. Create forward progress toward your desired identity through discipline and hard work, establishing small daily habits that progress you toward your goals. To establish those consistent training habits, you have to go back to the fundamentals. Don’t look for the “magic pill” like the latest fad diet or training supplement.
Applying these tips will help you establish and stay committed to your hunting goals, overcome obstacles and achieve your full potential as a hunter this year. For more tips from MTNTOUGH see outdoorclass.com.