QUESTION:
What do you think helps make a good wrestler become great? – Aaron J. (IA)
CAEL:
“I think a key (maybe the key) to becoming a great wrestler is by making a TOTAL commitment to your goals. A total commitment is being committed to your goals at all times and in all places. In good times and bad, tough times and not so tough- your goals must come first. If you set lofty goals they must be your number one priority if you truly intend to reach them.
Of course, there are more important things than your goals–like your family, religion, being a moral person, etc. However, none of these things will keep you from your goals. In fact, they should only help you reach them. When I was wrestling in college and training for the Olympics, I was totally committed to doing my very best. Besides my family and religion, everything else came second to accomplishing my mission.
It has been my experience that few people are totally committed to their goals. I feel that the majority of people are casually committed to their goals. To me, a casual commitment means someone is committed when it is convenient. A casual commitment will not get you through.
If something is not contributing to you reaching your goals, then eliminate it. A total commitment is the realistic approach to reaching your goals. With a total commitment you don’t question whether you want to get out of bed at 5:40am when your alarm goes off–you jump out of bed. You don’t debate taking short cuts because you know what is more important to you. Be totally committed to getting the sleep you need. Be totally committed to getting the proper nutrition. If you’re cutting weight, eat healthy foods instead of better-tasting junk food. You will feel better, you will be stronger and your weight will come off easier.
It all comes down to how important your goals are to you. If you have to make some difficult sacrifices, make them. There are so many examples of what a total commitment is. Everyone is a little different, and everyone will have different obstacles and challenges.
A total commitment will help you get through tough times. Think long term. Something might be easier and/or more fun today, but what will be more satisfying in the long run? It is important to have fun, but not at the expense of your goals. Nothing is more fun than reaching your goals! “
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