Goals.

This summer, I have one simple goal: 

Growth.

Growth spiritually. 
Growth physically.
Growth financially.
Growth relationally.
Growth professionally.

I intend to use this blog to share my journey with you guys, and my hope is that every reader will grow alongside me and will be inspired to set and conquer his or her own goals. Every blog post will be centered around my growth in one of these five areas, and I'll do my best to hit each of them weekly.


Spiritually I intend to be in the Word daily, and in constant contact with the Lord. I have been blessed abundantly, far beyond what I ever should have been (in fact, I deserve nothing at all), and I owe my life to my savior.

Physically I am working, as always, to become stronger, more powerful, quicker, more mobile, and improve my cardiac output. As far as specifics go, I aim to qualify for the 2014 American Open in the 85kg weight class. The 2013 AO required 85'ers to total 266kg, so I have some more work to do. This summer I plan to reach 200 pounds (currently at 191 - the heaviest of my life) while continuing to improve my work capacity. I have plenty of other lift-specific goals, but I'll spare you that list. 

Financially, it's time to save. On my first day of class last semester, a finance professor of mine mentioned that he'd tell us on our last day exactly what we should do to become millionaires. His advice? Live off 70%. Put 10% of your income in savings, invest 10%, and donate 10% to your church or charity of choice. This seems so simple to do, but we as image-obsessed Americans have all too much trouble with this concept of saving and living within our means. This summer, I plan to test drive this spending model and see how financially responsible I can be. 

Relationally, I want to grow closer with my friends and family. Though this sounds rather vague, it means a lot to me. I set this goal a few months ago and have made some great progress, but there's always room for improvement. I'm contacting my parents more frequently just to catch up and see how they're doing, and I'm striving to live genuinely and openly with everyone I come in contact with. I don't want to take any relationship for granted, and I want every day and every conversation to be taken on intentionally. 

Professionally I am striving to become an expert in my field of Strength and Conditioning. This summer I will be reading through "Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning," (the recommended study text for NSCA's CSCS) to better prepare myself for my upcoming years in the Sports Physiology graduate program as well as to set myself up for success when I do take my CSCS exam in the next year or two. I will also be attending my second USA Weightlifting certification at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado, which starts 2 weeks from today, to further my education and training in the Olympic lifts. By the end of my graduate program, I intend to hold both my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as well as my Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) certificates from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCC) respectively. 

With that, one simple goal has become a little more complex, and my summer has just become busy and purpose-driven. I urge you to set some goals of your own, and I invite you to share them here. See you guys tomorrow. Prepare yourselves for some exercise physiology (whoop whoop!).

"Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination." - Fitzhugh Dodson