I’ve been working with our clients at Tiger Performance Institute since its inception in 2019. I know, you must be thinking, “wow look at this wiley ole vet! 2 whole years!”
Though my coaching career does not yet rival the longevity of the great John Wooden or Tony La Russa, I have noticed a trend in which clients have success, and which ones don’t get everything they could have out of what we offer.
About two months ago, I began thinking through what it is that makes someone successful in implementing habit change. Not just success in the short term, but what makes their success span a lifetime?
Then, while recording the first podcast with my Dad, it hit me.
Here are what I have deemed the 3 C’s of Successful Behavior Change:
1. Commitment
This characteristic is probably the most elusive of the three. Commitment, over an extended period of time, takes a strong “why” and a lot of grit.
When working toward behavior change, early on everything is new and exciting, therefore commitment comes rather easily. However, as time goes on, all of a sudden it’s much more difficult to go out for that 30 minute walk, or take your supplements, or drink X amount of water.
Time goes by, and commitment soon becomes apathy or indifference. Especially when your behavior changes aren’t producing the results you’d like to see.
Those who are able to apply a long-term mindset and commit to the process of making incremental adjustments to their lifestyle, often find the success they are looking for in our programs.
2. Curiosity
This is my favorite of the three characteristics.
Curiosity is the desire to learn and grow. It’s a hunger for more information, resources, and tools that will aid in the growth process.
It’s the ability to ask great questions.
When I get on a coaching session with a client, I absolutely love when they come prepared with questions. The best part of my job is answering the unique questions each client brings into the sessions.
On the flip side, when a client is solely dependent on me to provide the energy, enthusiasm, and education, it will be difficult for them to take ownership of their success.
Trust me, I am completely content to get on a 30-minute coaching session and spew out facts and examples to help someone learn. But, I can’t make the changes for them.
The clients who consistently desire to learn with excellent questions are, more often than not, the ones who become successful in behavior change.
3. Competitiveness
I don’t mean competitive in the sense of “you vs. me”, rather, I think of it as “you vs. you”.
This is a very important distinction to make because what elite performance and health looks like for one person, will look completely different for another. This alone makes it very difficult to play the comparison game.
One person might struggle to get deep sleep at night, while the other person struggles to get REM. One person may struggle with getting consistent movement during the day, while another person may struggle to take adequate breaks.
The comparison game is a deadly poison that will ruin any sense of progress or success. Do not compare your results to someone else’s.
The clients who constantly put forth a great effort to out-do themselves day in and day out are often the most successful in our programs.