If I asked this question the first week in January, I’d have dozens of comments. However, most of us don’t consider goal setting outside of work and those New Year’s resolutions.
I’m here to offer you a new perspective – one that will make this a summer to remember… The 90-Day Summer Push.
The 90-Day Summer Push is something a friend of mine, Mike, and I did in 1998 when we were in our 20’s, single, and had slightly different priorities. We knew that once Labor Day hit, our schedules would be insane for four months – football season and the holidays were going to derail us, add some body-fat, decrease our conditioning, etc.
We learned the hard way – the previous year we woke up after New Year’s with about 10 extra pounds, a loss in our conditioning, and a huge drop in our strength. We weren’t going to let that happen again, and we were going to take care of it before Labor Day. Our objective was to be in the best shape of our lives by the end of the summer; so much so that we’d last through the extra calories and three day weekends that football season and the holidays brought.
Well, we succeeded. Even though I put on a few pounds, and lost a little bit at the gym and in my conditioning, I entered 1999 in adequate shape and didn’t have to start over. I was in such great shape on Labor Day weekend that four months of being derailed wasn’t going to sting too badly.
Well, I’m not that worried about my bench press anymore, but I still use the 90-Day Summer Push as a technique that helps me enjoy life, and you probably can also. Summer brings later sunsets, outdoor weather, and more time with our kids, etc. It’s a unique three months.
Although my goals are different, I use it for the same reasoning as Mike and I did in 1998 – I’m a Florida Gator season ticket holder and still love the holidays. Therefore, I want to make sure that I have a buffer once September starts. My goals have to do with body weight, golf game, and number of visits to Disney with my two-year-old (we live in Orlando and have passes).
What do you think? Can you use this technique?
Try it – you’ll be happy you did on Labor Day.
