The Process by Layla Risler
So, leading up to Fargo, my focus is on the process. Not focusing on the outcome, but how I can get better.
I've been thinking a lot lately about goals. Kevin recently challenged all of us to write a goal, 3 “shot callers,” a “shot clock,” and a consequence/reward. Now this came easy to me, I've always had a goal, whether it was to win this tournament, or win this many matches, or whatever else I came up with. Then I realized, a lot of those goals were never achieved? That made me ask the question, why?
This is where the process comes in. For most of my life practice or a lift meant me going as hard as I could. This led to a lot of injuries, which set me back weeks. And yes, going hard in practice is very important, but you need balance. So instead of just lifting as hard as I could, I got a plan that focused on how to build my weaknesses. Same with practice. Slowing down and being intentional with what I was doing. Learning in positions and growing in them.
Another aspect of the process I often overlooked was my character on and off the mat. Recently we had an exclusive camp that was really meant to push us. It actually pushed me to tears. And at the end of this camp Kevin gave us a talk about our attitudes (we were very negative the whole time). That made me reflect on not just the camp but the last few months. I was often stuck on the bad things. They repeated in my mind, taking me away from the opportunity to get better. Or even off the mat, I let my entitlement say, “someone else can pick this up,” or “I don't have to do that.” This struck me hard. If I couldn't pick that piece of trash up, how was I gonna achieve my goal?
So, leading up to Fargo, my focus is on the process. Not focusing on the outcome, but how I can get better each practice, lift, or anytime I see a piece of garbage on the floor.
Without a process you cannot achieve the goal.