IT IS EASIER TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION WITH DIRECTIONS!
‘Begin with the end in mind’ is a quote from a great self help book – 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R.Covey. Actually to be precise it is habit number two!
Walking aimlessly into any ambition in life is not going to be productive, why would it be different with fitness.
Goal setting is like a map. The long-term goal is the destination, the short term intentions are the check points along the way. The training strategies you choose are the modes of transport on the route.
Goal setting is a fundamental part of all my clients training programs and something I constantly refer to throughout their fitness journey.
SETTING YOUR FITNESS GOALS!
WRITE THEM DOWN – Studies have shown that writing down your goals resulted in you being 42% more likely to achieve them! (THAT IS HUGE). Get out a pen some paper, draw pictures, make it stand out to you! Print it out and stick them where you can see them every day!
FOCUS ON ONE GOAL AT A TIME – Don’t complicate it, have one area to focus on. Drop a dress size or to be able to do a pull up or complete a 5km fun run. Have your goal stick to it, make it your fitness priority and go for it.
MAKE IT PERSONAL – Sharon in the office is doing her 5th marathon next week and you’ve never run round the park… somehow I don’t think matching yourself to Sharon is going to be successful. You are your own competition you are here to beat yesterdays you no one else. They haven’t walked your shoes so make your goal fit you, your lifestyle and what YOU would like to achieve!
ADD VISION & EMOTION – Picture this… literally picture it! What does success look like, day dream about that outfit from River Island that you want to rock up to the office Christmas Party in! See yourself sprinting over the finish line the crowd cheering you on! Feel your strength as you lift yourself over that bar! How does it feel? Go to that place and hold onto it… dare to dream and you will achieve!
HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE – Self motivation can sometimes be the hardest part. If you have a plan you are more likely to stick to it. Have assigned training times/classes/runs. Use your dairy/calendar for reminders. Get a friend to train with you, as you are less likely to sack off training for a night with Netflix and the sofa or an extra hour in bed! Get a P.T. or book onto a training program. You have to pay upfront for programs so if you have already paid for the training why would you just throw the money away!
BE PATIENT – in 4 weeks you will feel it, in 8 weeks friends and family will notice it, 12 weeks the world will see it! Keep at it!
REVIEW – Start with a 12 week goal, have a review every 4 weeks and if you are over achieving then up your end target. Don’t just settle keep pushing your limits!
