Consider how many things are connected to "THE thing" you are doing.
As an easy example for me, take the bench press. "THE thing" is pushing the bar from the chest to arms length. That's "THE thing", the big deal about it. Chest to lockout. Simple as that, right?
Well...maybe not. It is easy to concentrate on "THE thing" and fail to see the other "things" that can lead to greater chances for success in the endeavor itself.
So lets start connecting.
If the bar path down is off, and the touch point is out of groove, that's a "thing" that can screw up success doing "THE thing". It's connected. Do it poorly and chances for success fall.
Then there is the lift off. That's connected to success. If you ever got a bad one on a big attempt you understand. Its another "thing" that helps or hurts when we go to do "THE thing".
Go right ahead and use your imagination and walk back all the "things" that connect.
Your arch, your foot placement, your set up, your mindset when you approach the bar, your psych up, even your morning meal! How about the nights sleep before?
My point is that LOTS of things are connected to success or failure outside of what we normally pay attention to. I'll show you. The things I mentioned need no explaining and are pretty self-evident.
But did you think of this?
What is the connection to your bench press and your drive in to the gym?
Not much, you say?
Think it over.
What if you had a flat tire and were late?
Would that effect things? Or what if you ran out of gas and had to walk it in? No effect? What if there was an accident? What if you had to go to the hospital?
That's gonna effect things!
Talk about a ruined workout! But consider a smooth ride in with no traffic or delays, excellent motivating music, and a good parking space to boot! That might go unnoticed, but my point is that it shouldn't. It all adds up.
I'm not saying here that you should let things effect you, I'm saying they CAN if you don't take steps to control them and push them towards greater chances of success. But if you don't see them in the first place, you won't try to steer them.
Start your examination working back from the execution of "the thing".
Think carefully and slowly.
