Tracking Progress!
Are you tracking your progress? In the gym? Your steps? Your personal development?
You should
Tracking gives:
Accountability
Encouragement
Positive feedback loop (when you’re doing the work)
A reality check (when you’re not doing the work)
Awareness (to the season of life you’re in)
I’m writing this email on April 22nd. By the time you receive it in May I will have set a new STEP PR for 2024*. A big goal for 2024 is to run a 50 mile race. I don’t consider myself a runner but I enjoy the challenge of running a long distance. Above you can see my progress tracking sheet. Some months I focus more on running… others on rucking.
Here’s a screen grab of the other section of the sheet where I track the rucking/ Running volume. As I look at this I think “I need to up the volume” So I planned two 5+ milers for the week. 1 will be a run the other will be a ruck. On April 25th I am rucking a 50k with my DoHardThings community. That will be plenty of volume… haha. Will also be my 2nd 50k ruck this year! Great “time on feet” training for that 50 mile race I want to attempt in September.
I also track my recovery practices (more like mindset practices for me), learning a new skill, lifting days and times I eat out per month.
Notice the big drop off in Sauna, Cold Plunge, breath work, darkness mediation, fasting days, learning drum in March and April? A new born will throw a wrench in plans- but that’s okay. Actually, it’s exactly why I do the practices I do… to prepare my mind and body for the seasons of life that are busy, out of my control and adverse. However… I am not content with continuing this way. I must get back to the practices that lead me into the headspace I’m in. I take a look at this sheet 1-2 times a week to see where I stand… to audit my days and see where I can fit the work in. I make plans and work towards them. Recently… with a new born those plans must be altered and thats ok for the time being to serve the needs of my family. This is why CHECKDOWNS are so important. I must not abandon myself and my personal growth. Nor prioritize all these things over the needs of my family.
In This Season of Life
CHECKDOWNS keep me afloat. I am unable to Sauna, ice bath and mediate as much I want. But I am able to get my workouts in (from home) That will scratch the itch for the time being.
I didn’t feel well fasting with the lack of sleep and increased stress on my mind/ body. So I started eating breakfast (protein only) and stopped eating out as much* By the time you read this I will have already started back into the OMAD plan.
Learning a new skill (the drum) hasn’t quite taken root. But I am learning many new skills having the new born haha. I play the drum for him a couple times a week so that time on task is probably a bit higher than what I am showing on the sheet.
Overall… I am pleased with how I am doing given all the external situations. Handling myself well, staying patient knowing this is JUST A SEASON. I remain in confidence because I do not feel lazy. I take advantage of every free minute in my day doing the most I can with the time I’m granted.
The tracking sheet reminds me of the season I am in… it also reminds me of what i’m capable of! Back to work I go!
Join me
Zach