A goal without a plan is just a wish.
~ Anonymous
How do you feel about setting goals?
Maybe you’re not keen on the whole idea – it seems artificial to you, or you’re worried about failure. Or perhaps, like many, you’re really good at coming up with goals – and less good at actually following through on them.
Now that we are 9 days into the new year I feel it’s time to talk about goal setting. Much of the DAY 1 “focus” (and holiday sugar hangover) as dissipated and we are thinking more rationally about what we can feasibly accomplish in this new year.
Here are a few tips on goal setting that I have found useful in my years of coaching and competing:
1. Write clear and measurable goals. Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. How will you see when you reach your goal? By being clear!
Good example: I want to get 5 dead hang pull-ups by the end of the summer.
Poor example: I want to be able to do pullups.
2. Create a specific action plan for each goal.
Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do and how we are going to do it. Saying you want to lose weight without putting in a plan in place to do so will get you no closer than a wish.
3. Read your goals daily and visualize yourself accomplishing them. It’s easy to lose focus when our goals are not in plain sight. Write you goal in your journal, note book, iPhone note, on a whiteboard or your mirror. Maybe your goal is to run a marathon — sign up for it NOW and let your registration email receipt linger in your inbox as a constant reminder.
4. Reflect on your progress to see if you are on target. No better way to do that than: Test. Practice. Retest.
5. Revise your action plans if needed.
Perhaps your original plan isn’t working quite the way you intended. If that is the case, take time to revise your plan and brainstorm new strategies. Giving up is not an option! Struggling with your “weight-loss resolution”? Seek out help from a nutrition coach. There are plenty of resources available to you, even just within CFOIB. Remember, giving up is never an option!
6. Celebrate your accomplishments! You deserve it!
-Coach K