There’s a moment that every fighter knows well.
It’s the moment you find out the date of your next fight.
From that point forward, everything changes.
You train harder. You eat cleaner. You make sacrifices. You say no to things that get in the way. Not because you’re superhuman — but because there’s a reason to say no now. There’s a timeline. A deadline. A fight.
But without that fight on the calendar?
You drift.
You still train, sure. But the meals start to slide. A takeaway here. Some junk food there. The weight you worked so hard to cut comes back — fast. You start promising yourself that Monday you’ll start again. But Monday becomes next Monday. And next Monday becomes “after the holidays” or “when work settles down.”
Sound familiar?
Deadlines Change Everything
This doesn’t just apply to weight cuts or training camps.
A few years ago, I had to move house and go back to live with my dad to help care for him. I knew this was coming months in advance. I knew I’d need to clear the house, sell some things, and throw away the rest. I knew the deadline was approaching. But I didn’t act on it. Not really.
Until the move-out date was confirmed.
Then and only then I sprang into action. With 2-3 weeks to go, I got my head down and got it done.
Could I have made life easier by starting earlier? Definitely. But without a hard deadline, there was always that feeling of “I’ve got time.”
Until I didn’t.
And that’s exactly how most of us live when it comes to our goals.
We wait.
We wait for motivation. For perfect weather. For a sign. For the kids to be older. For the business idea to be clearer. For the stars to align.
Or if you’re a Leicester fan like me for us to win the Premier League again (which might be a long wait, let’s be honest).
But here’s the truth most people avoid:
If you don’t create a deadline, you’ll drift forever.
Stop Waiting for the Perfect Moment
The perfect time doesn’t exist. You already know that deep down.
Waiting for the “right moment” is just fear in disguise.
Fear of failing.
Fear of not being good enough.
Fear of what people will think if you try and fall short.
But when you’re in fight camp, that fear becomes fuel.
You don’t wait to feel ready. You get ready because you have to. You make the time. You show up. You make progress, not excuses.
So let me ask you this:
What’s your fight?
What goal would light a fire under you if you gave it a date?
What would force you to train harder, eat better, study more, or finally act?
Because when there’s a consequence for not hitting your target, you suddenly care a lot more. I never once failed to make weight because I refused to let myself step on that scale and feel shame, guilt, or regret. It wasn’t optional.
What’s Your Weigh-In Day?
It doesn’t matter if you’re not a fighter.
Everyone has their own version of a “weigh in day.”
- That job interview.
- That business launch.
- That beach holiday.
- That reunion or race or tournament.
- That big move or milestone birthday.
Without that date, you’re just “interested.”
With a date, you’re committed.
So set the date.
Put it on the calendar.
Not in pencil. In ink.
And then work backwards.
Ask yourself:
- What do I need to do daily to be ready?
- What habits do I need to stop pretending don’t matter?
- Who do I need to become over the next 90 days to hit this goal?
Because let me be blunt:
No one is coming to save you.
No one is going to magically give you more time, more energy, or more motivation.
You get those things by moving — not waiting.
My Current Fight (And Why It Matters)
Let me show you what this looks like in real life.
As I write this, I’ve just set a new 90-day challenge for myself.
Deadline: August 29th.
Why? That’s the day I fly out on a solo trip to Lanzarote my happy place.
It’s more than a holiday. It’s a line in the sand. A chance to prove to myself I can follow through, even when life’s chaotic.
Here’s my fight:
- Be under 160lbs at 10–12% body fat
- Speak basic conversational Spanish well enough to hold my own with locals
- Hit a specific financial milestone in my online business
None of this is easy.
But none of it is optional now either because the clock is ticking.
I’ve wasted enough time in the past putting things off, waiting for Monday, waiting for things to be easier. That version of me had good intentions but poor follow-through.
This version? He’s locked in.
Because I know what happens when I don’t set a fight date. I lose momentum. I let myself down. And honestly, I’m tired of doing that.
Maybe you are too.
How to Find Your Fight
If this is hitting home, good. That means you’re awake. That means you’re ready.
So here’s what I want you to do today, not tomorrow.
Step 1: Set Your Weigh-In Date
Pick a date 30–90 days from now. Make it real. Put it on your calendar.
Maybe it’s a holiday, a birthday, a race, or just an arbitrary day you turn into something meaningful.
Step 2: Define Your Win
What does “winning” look like by that date? Be specific.
- Lose 10 pounds?
- Run 5k without stopping?
- Launch a blog or product?
- Speak 100 Spanish phrases confidently?
- Go 30 days without junk food, alcohol, or excuses?
Whatever it is write it down.
Step 3: Name the Consequence
What happens if you don’t hit it?
- Will you feel ashamed or disappointed?
- Will it affect your confidence?
- Will you keep spinning your wheels for another 6 months?
You need to feel the sting of staying stuck.
Step 4: Build the Daily Plan
Now break it into actions you’ll take every single day.
- 30 minutes of movement
- 20 minutes of language learning
- 1 meal planned in advance
- 1 small action for your business
Don’t overcomplicate it. Just do what matters.
Consistency beats intensity.
Step 5: Commit Publicly
Tell someone. Post it. Share it with a friend or coach. Accountability forces action. If you want, message me. I’ll hold you to it.
This Isn’t About Perfection
Let me be clear: this isn’t about being perfect.
You will miss a day. You will mess up. You will want to quit.
But if the date is set, if the fight is real, you’ll get back on track quicker.
You don’t need to be flawless you need to be focused.
Final Thought: Pick a Fight Worth Losing Sleep Over
Here’s the truth that most people avoid:
The pain of discipline is always less than the pain of regret.
You can either suffer now and grow stronger…
Or suffer later wishing you had started when you had the chance.
Find your fight.
Set your date.
And get to work like it’s non-negotiable.
Because the clock’s ticking.
And you were built for more than drifting through life on autopilot.
If this resonated with you, let me know what your fight is. Write it down. Say it out loud. Better yet — start today.
Not Monday. Not when it’s sunny.
Now.