“Your mind will quit a thousand times before your body will. Feel the fear and do it anyway.” - Unknown

The mind is a powerful thing, and that can be both good and bad. It’s bad when we let it take over; when we allow the negative thoughts to ruminate and hold us back. But, if we dig deep enough into the core of our thoughts and behaviors, we can develop our emotional intelligence and use our mind to push us forward.

We are capable of so much more than we believe. We quit too early, and we stop pushing ourselves just before we’ve reached the threshold of growth, and we let fear keep us stuck in the same spot.

What we need to do is dig deeper within ourselves.

What It Means to Dig Deep

To dig deep means to make an effort with all of your resources. Digging deep refers to your ability to look inside yourself and see your potential, and using all you have to reach your goals, to live out your values and to overcome obstacles. It refers to your resiliency, or your ability to bounce back after setbacks. Digging deep requires a growth mindset, a willingness to get uncomfortable in order to change and improve.

Goals, big or small, aren’t easy to reach. They take effort, determination, and persistence. Most of us have many goals that go unreached. Not because we aren’t capable, but because we don’t dig deep enough to realize our potential. We quit because we think we are unworthy or unable. We lack the motivation to continue because we believe failure means we can’t, rather than using it as a lesson to be better.

When you get to the core of who you are and what you want out of life, you will be on your way to setting those goals on fire.

How to Dig Deep to Reach Your Goals

OK, so all this talk about digging deep, I bet you want to learn what it takes. Here’s how you can dig deep to develop the grit you need to face challenges, whether that’s pushing through a hard workout, motivating yourself to get to your training session or facing life’s inevitable hardships.

Compare Yourself to You

There’s certainly nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, but we tend to focus too much of our energy on others, and not enough on ourselves. Sometimes, we see others at the studio who are more advanced, and we let that discourage us from pushing forward, thinking we can’t be on that level.

Other times (many times) it comes from social media. We often see the perfect bodies, the impeccable form, the videos of fitness influencers performing incredible skills. What we don’t see is all of the effort and training it took to get there. We don’t know how many videos they had to shoot, or what they edited out, to get it just perfect. And we rarely get to see where they started.

Listen, not everyone is on the same level. You are your biggest competition. The goal is to work toward being a better version of yourself, each and every day. Dig deep, determine who and where you want to be, and then ask yourself what you can do today to get closer to that goal.

Find Your Mission

We always say we need a why when it comes to our goals. Since we’re digging deep today, let’s take it a step further. Instead of stating your why, find your mission. Determine what your goals mean to you, how they will impact your life and the lives of others, and how they will help you to live out your values.

The word mission has such a deep meaning that resonates with Contenders and Coaches alike. It doesn't just encompass your why and your purpose, but it helps you to envision the journey of working toward your goals. A mission isn’t just something you want; it’s something you get up and do.

Do you really just want to lose that 50 pounds to fit in an old pair of jeans? There’s no shame in that, but dig a little deeper because that’s not all it’s about. If you lose that 50 pounds, you can breathe easier, walk faster, feel better. You might inspire members of your family to start living a healthier lifestyle. You might encourage complete strangers to reach their goals, through your story.

Making it to the studio every day won’t just aid in weight loss. It’s building your confidence, your determination and your ability to push yourself to places you never thought possible. Maybe losing that 50 lbs will make you a better parent, perhaps it will change the future and the health of your children, and the generations to come after.

You see, losing 50 pounds isn’t really about the weight at all. It’s about how much you gain in the process. Make that your mission, and carry it out with grace and grit.

Trudge Through the Drudgery

No matter what you’re trying to do, whether it’s reaching a fitness goal, living out your passion or striving for the career of your dreams, don’t expect it to always be rainbows and butterflies.

There are going to be times where you don’t feel like it, where you want to give up, where you consider if it’s all really worth it. You’ve got to trudge through the drudgery and get it done. Dig deep, remind yourself of your mission, believe in what you can do, and get through it. Use those challenges to grow and become better. Understand that nothing worth having comes easy. Imagine the sense of fulfillment and accomplishment you’ll feel when you overcome the hard part.

Challenges are all a part of the journey. You don’t have to like them, but you will have to embrace and trudge through them. It will be worth it in the end.

Grit is at the heart and soul of Gloveworx. We recognize boxing as not just a physical sport, but as a journey that can help you to dig deep and find your true potential. Are you ready to Become Unstoppable?