Intent means focus. It means dialing in your expectation of what the intended purpose of an exercise is and holding that tight in your mind while you work. It requires knowing why you are training. Both in the moment with the immediate exercise, and the overarching purpose behind your desire to train.
When you exercise you are training your body and your mind as a unit. The ability of your body to move is dependent upon your brain sending a very organized signal that causes your muscles to fire in the best possible order for the task. When you’re rested, focused and engaged the signals are organized and muscles will activate in a strong and efficient manner. If you’re distracted, rushed, or bored your mind won’t connect to your body as well and your performance will be weak and inconsistent.
The effects of great intent while working out are amplified over individual training sessions, weeks, months and years of hard work. The athlete who wins the competition and the person who maintains a great physique balancing life, work and family have something in common. Though it’s easy to look at “winners” and remark about their great talent, or natural gifts, the fact is they have a fantastic ability to dial in their focus and make the most out of everyday over the long haul.
To some this emphasis on great focus, hard work and commitment may sound like a big hurdle. For me it’s highly encouraging. If you can take the time to understand your programming, focus on your goal, and carry a strong overall purpose, you can succeed where others may fail. Others who may have more talent, better resources, and fancier equipment can be beaten.
This is the miraculous victory by the US Hockey team in 1980 taking down the Soviets. The Red Sox coming back from being down 3-0 to the Yankees in 2004 to complete the biggest comeback of all time. Tom Brady going back to the Super Bowl over and over again. None of this is an accident, it’s hard work and the intention to do what it takes everyday to put yourself in a position to succeed. Take every moment seriously, understand your purpose, maximize your focus and you will achieve great things.
