At CrossFit Actus, we talk a lot about goal setting. Usually it sounds clean and straightforward. Set a goal, build a plan, stay consistent, and results follow.
But the truth is, it’s rarely that simple.
Personally, right now, I am in a phase where I am having a hard time figuring out what my next big goal should be. I spent years chasing a sub 20 minute 5K. It demanded focus, structure, and a level of mental commitment that is hard to replicate overnight. When you come off something like that, it is not always easy to just pick the next mountain to climb.
And that is a normal place to be.
When the Big Goal Is Not Clear
There is this idea that you should always have a massive goal driving you forward. Something exciting, something measurable, something impressive.
But sometimes, the most honest place you can be is not having that clarity yet.
I know that if I am going to commit to another long term goal, I need to be in the right mental space. It has to matter to me. It has to connect to something deeper. Otherwise, I am just going through the motions without true purpose, and that never lasts.
So instead of forcing a goal that does not feel right, I have shifted my focus.
Leaning Into Short Term Consistency
Right now, my priority is simple. Show up. Move well. Feel good.
I am focusing on training in a way that keeps my body healthy, my energy high, and my mind clear. No pressure to chase heavy numbers. No arbitrary deadlines. Just consistent effort daily.
This does not mean I have stopped caring. It actually means the opposite. I care enough to recognize that forcing the wrong goal can do more harm than good.
Short term consistency is not a step back. It is often the foundation for what comes next.
The Role of Intrinsic Motivation
One thing that experience has taught me is that the “why” always matters more than the “what.”
Running a sub 20 minute 5K was not just about the time. It was about proving something to myself. It was about discipline, structure, and seeing what I was capable of over the long term.
Until I find that same level of internal pull again, I am not rushing into the next big target.
And that is an important lesson. If your goal does not mean something to you beyond the surface, it will not carry you when things get hard.
Using the S.M.A.R.T Framework When the Time Is Right
When the right goal does come, it still needs structure.
Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. Time bound. Most people are familiar this this construct.
That framework works. It creates clarity and direction. But it only works if the goal itself actually matters to you.
Right now, my version of a S.M.A.R.T approach is smaller in scope. It means being active daily but training with weights 5x per week. It’s an emphasis on quality movement. It’s also prioritizing recovery, so that when the time comes that I’ve figured it out, I will be ready for it.
Those are still goals. They are just scaled to the season I am in.
Thinking in Seasons
This is where seasonal goal setting becomes powerful.
Not every season needs to be about pushing limits. Some seasons are about building. Some are about maintaining. Some are about recovering and resetting.
Right now, I am in a season of consistency and feeling good. As we slowly make our way into spring and summer I love working out outside.
That might not sound exciting, but it is incredibly valuable. It sets the stage for whatever comes next. When the right goal shows up, I will be ready for it.
You Are Not Alone in This
If you are struggling to find your next goal, you are not alone.
I deal with it too. I am no different than anyone else. Just because I’ve been hitting the gym for 24 years it doesn’t mean it gets any easier. You just get better about being consistent, especially when you don’t feel like it.
The difference is not that some people are always motivated and others are not. The difference is understanding how to navigate these phases without falling off completely.
For me, that means continuing to show up because I know how important it is for my physical health and especially my mental state.
No matter what season you are in, consistency still matters.
At CrossFit Actus, we believe that something is always better than nothing and consistency is key. Sometimes the goal is not to chase something big. Sometimes the goal is simply to stay in the game long enough for the next meaningful challenge to reveal itself. If you need help. Feel free to schedule a free call here.