Understanding the Balanced Scale of Effort and Results

At JWC, we often talk about the concept of the “balanced scale” – a simple yet powerful way to understand the relationship between your goals, the effort you put in, and the sacrifices you’re willing to make. Let’s break it down with a few examples that might resonate with you.

Dave’s Mission: High Performance Goals

Dave has a clear, ambitious goal: he wants to achieve sub-10% body fat, develop visible abs, and run a sub-40-minute 10K. Sounds impressive, right? But here’s the catch: achieving these goals requires serious commitment. Dave will need to put in countless hours of training, stick to a strict nutrition plan, and sacrifice a lot of the little indulgences that many of us enjoy.

The key for Dave is understanding that the road to these results is paved with effort and discipline. If he’s ready to commit, he’s on the right path to success.

Bob’s Approach: Balanced Health Goals

On the other hand, Bob has a different focus. His goal is simply to maintain good energy levels and achieve a healthy body composition – no six-pack or record-breaking times required. This means Bob can afford to be more flexible, enjoying occasional treats and a less rigid lifestyle while still putting in consistent effort to stay active and eat reasonably well.

By understanding his goals and the level of effort they require, Bob stays on track without unnecessary stress or disappointment.

Tim’s Mistake: Conflicting Goals

Then there’s Tim. Tim wants it all: he dreams of joining Dave in the high-performance lane, but he also wants to join Bob for mid-week takeout and believes weekends are for rest, not running. Unfortunately, this mismatch between his goals and his actions sets Tim up for failure. He hasn’t aligned his effort with his desired outcome, leaving him frustrated and disappointed.

The Golden Rule: Effort Must Match Your Goals

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to setting goals – whether you’re aiming for peak performance or simply improving your health, the choice is yours. But there is one non-negotiable rule: the effort you put in must align with the results you want.

If you’re struggling to set realistic, achievable goals that match your lifestyle, we’re here to help. Don’t be like Tim – let’s work together to find the perfect balance for you.

Ready to start your journey? Let’s set some goals that make sense for you!