FOCUS YOUR EFFORT

“Remember Aesop?  Of Aesop’s Fables fame? Fantastic little tales about animals who acted like humans, holding life lessons and examples of good morals within their stories. 

Do you know the one about the goat who wanted incredible gymnastic skills and amazing mobility? Seems this goat was a fairly decent CrossFitter, but was a little tight in the shoulders and ankles, as well as finding it tough to get his head around the muscle up transition.  Sure he knew that genetics had something to do with it, not HAVING proper ankles was a problem, and cloven hooves were a real hassle for maintaining false grip………. but at the same time, he was convinced that if he just tried really really hard, he was going to get #swoleandflexy, with some major ring skills eventually.

But one day his friend the sheep suggested that while working on lots of different things is very classic CrossFit, and much the standard daily approach, he should also consider spending a month focusing on just ONE of his major weaknesses – his muscle ups, or his mobility; in order to see some definite progress. 

” Sometimes chasing too many goals can work against you”, said the sheep. “But what if I try really really REALLY hard”, said the goat.  And try he did. Unfortunately for the goat, before he realised it, he was also trying to improve his back squat, speed up his burpees and wallballs, and dial in his Olympic lifting on top of everything else…..  and time passed……… …… and time passed…… …..and the goat didn’t get his muscle up…. ……and his non existent ankles were still tight in the bottom of a squat….. 

Eventually the goat realised that in wanting two goals, he had attained neither of them. And this is why today in CrossFit, the things we want to improve are known as ‘goats’.....

Disclaimer: This fable, like all of Aesop’s other tales, is not true.  It’s also not really much of a fable…..  However, the lesson it's trying to impart is true.  Hopefully it serves as a good reminder, that, although it is completely normal and expected to make progress in many aspects of fitness at the same time, there is also benefit to working a little harder on just one thing, especially if it’s a stubborn skill or movement.

Just a couple of weeks left in the lockdown hopefully, let’s re-focus our efforts on our training regularity, but as far as specifics, see what happens when you focus on just one thing."

Darren Ellis, CrossFit New Zealand.