First things first, figure out your overarching goal. It’s natural to set multiple goals, but figuring out the foundation of what you want to achieve in climbing helps set you up for success. The more specific you are with your goal, the easier it is for your mind to understand the goal. We are going to take an overarching goal and work through it as an example of how you can create a goal and approach it.

Take this goal as an example: I want to send 5.13.

When setting goals, you must be able to answer the five W’s (who, what, where, when, why). If you answer these questions, you can then take steps in the right direction. Who: You want to. What: Would like to send my first 5.13. Where: At my climbing gym. When: I’d like to aim for the end of the year. Why: Because 5.13 is at a project level that is challenging but possible within the next few months. Notice how, through answering all five W’s, we were able not only to see a timeline for the goal but also understand how plausible it can be.

Now that you know your goal, you have to do the hard part: working towards it. Something you could do is create smaller goals to make it more digestible. This allows you to mentally process your goal, treating it more like a series of checkpoints. This also gives small dopamine boosts, ensuring that you keep pushing. In the above example, this could aim to separate all the moves on a 5.13. Breaking up a rope climb into digestible parts that you can hone the beta on, so that when you piece it together. Furthermore, having other small goals correlated with your primary goal can help you achieve it. If you want to send 5.13, a smaller goal you can work towards is being consistent with sending 5.12.

Something else with your goal is that you have to be consistent. Achieving your goals comes from hard work. Especially if you’re aiming for a high goal, plan your weeks out, ensuring you have dedicated time to climb while still maintaining your life. For the example above, ensure that you are giving solid burns on a 5.13 that best suits you while also strengthening your climbing. If the climb you aim to send mostly has crimps and is on overhang, focus on some crimp training that not only strengthens your pulleys but also elongates your endurance when on crimps.

Especially if this is a long-term goal: it takes time. We’re all human. And humans have bad days. It’s ok to have bad days. There might be some days when you’re exhausted from school or work, or you’re worried your goal was too ambitious. Take a second to reflect: appreciate how far you’ve come and understand that bad days happen so that good days can occur. Even though we’ve had only good days and consistent progress, once we reach our goal, it won’t feel as accomplished. Keep your head held high and push on.

Everyone needs a wingman. Having a partner or group of peers working with you can be monumental for attaining your goals. Not only does a community lift you and cheer you on, it can also hold you accountable. If your group consistently meets at a set time, it holds you accountable to show up. Since they show up to help you achieve your goal, there is a mutual bond that you will likely do the same. If you’re having a bad day, show up and chat with your peers. Sometimes, the most challenging part of a bad day while training is showing up. Once you show up, collaborating with your peers could lighten your mood and reinvigorate your ability to try hard for the day. And if not, take it as a sign to have a rest day and applaud yourself for showing up.

Lastly, reach your goal. Through dedication, determination, and peers cheering you on, you’ll get that goal! Once you reach your goal, reflect on your success. Celebrate how far you’ve come and the time you put in to get where you are. If you don’t reach your goal, that is okay! Still reflect and be proud of how you gave it your all and tried your best. For the example goal above, the beauty of “sending a 5.13” is that you have all the time in the world (unless the gym resets). Take time to keep trying! And since you’ve become both physically and mentally stronger, you can now carry on and tackle your new goal.