You have a fitness goal. You plan. You make lists. You even buy new shoes.
But then 2 weeks later, life gets in the way and you miss a day. And then another. And then another.
Your goal has vanished.
The problem with setting goals
Have you ever told yourself that you are going to lose weight and “get in shape”, only to be frustrated when life gets in the way and your routine is broken?
When we set goals, there are important factors we need to consider and build into our plan.
Set a Deadline
The best way to protect yourself from getting off track is to set a deadline and start NOW. Deadlines are powerful motivators. Without a deadline, you really have no set-point toward which to work. You have nothing pushing you.
Deadlines create a sense of urgency. It forces you to prioritize and strategize. Otherwise, you will let things slide…life will always tell you “ah, you can do it tomorrow… you’re too busy today.”
Without a deadline, tomorrow never comes.
Keep it Interesting
What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
If you keep doing what you have always done, you will get the results you have always gotten. It’s time to do shake it up. Ask yourself this question: If I keep doing what I am doing right now, will I achieve what I want to achieve? If you answered no, then it’s time for a change.
Get Competitive
Some of us have a competitive bone in our body. Some of us (eh-hem) have an entire skeleton. Use it to your advantage.
Entering into a competition or contest or friendly bet is a great opportunity to give yourself the edge you need to stay on track and finish strong. Just knowing that your effort and results are going to be measured alongside others really will give you an extra boost in motivation.
Peer pressure for the good!
You will also find that those who you are competing with will be your best cheerleader. They know exactly what you are going through and will be there to encourage you to keep moving.
Be Realistic
When we set a goal, it is easy to shoot for the stars. After all, we are full of excitement and energy. After we start working our goal, the real life challenges start to creep in: energy, schedules, family commitments, interest. I mean, let’s face it, some days we just don’t want to!
When setting your goals, be realistic about what is feasible in your life right now. Set yourself up for success by setting mini goals along the way. Create an environment of success.
Let’s get started
- Do you have a goal but don’t know where to start?
- Are you struggling with finding time for physical activity in your busy schedule?
- Do you want to do something but have not idea what that is!?