There are two characteristics that are key to getting results in your training or movement practice, or even in other practices.
Even if you start very late in life, these shift you ahead of the curve quickly.
The first is intent.
The second is awareness.
When we have intent, for our session, for a lift or a movement, we have reason. We understand the downsides of doing a poor job. We have a driver.
When we have awareness, we are present to the task in totality. When we deviate, our awareness helps us come back. If we hit new terrain, our awareness recognises this and we observe, or we ask for help.
Without intent, we can maintain awareness, but we have no forward motion. Without awareness, we get caught in the moment, lost in the activity and can lose the quality.
Usually, when we lack awareness and intent is high (common) we get “outside of ourselves” in an effort to push too hard, or go too fast.
While some look at this as blowing off steam, it usually is just losing the higher level attention on the task*.
*Note – when you observe professional athletes at the peak of their game, you always notice awareness. Not just to the task, but to the context as well – the environment, other participants and overall state of play.
