"SMART Goals!"
Nutrition.
Exercise. Lean Muscle. Strength... N.E.LM.S.
Fitness
Last week, we discussed the importance of goal-setting. Remember
that those with New Year’s Resolutions are ten times
more likely to accomplish what they set out to do. Whether
the goal is weight loss (which should actually be referred to as fat
loss…but more on that later), muscle gain, or simply moving
around with ease and without pain, it is imperative that you go through
the proper goal-setting method if you want to increase your chances
of success.
Businesses go through an intensive goal-setting process each year
that leads to subsequent action-planning meetings designed to create
the most efficient and probable path of obtaining results. In order
to properly go through this process, however, you must first create
SMART goals. SMART goals are…
Specific: When you are finished
with the SMART process, it will answer “what”, “why”,
“how”, and “how much”. The goal should be
so specific that it allows you to focus your efforts.
Measurable: The goal must have a number assigned
to it. The number tells you immediately whether you made it or not,
and it is an important part of creating motivation to achieve the
goal.
Attainable: The goal should be lofty, but
it must also be attainable. The goal should cause you to stretch your
comfort zone a bit, and you will develop the attitudes, skills, and
abilities necessary to achieve them. As you acquire these beneficial
traits, you will feel better about yourself and even more motivated
to achieve more.
Relevant to your overall objectives: Make
sure that your goal fits in with your values and beliefs. Many times
people set goals that strongly conflict with another area of their
life, which almost guarantees that the goal will not be achieved.
Time-bound: Something almost magical happens
when you set a timed deadline to your goal. You work harder. More
opportunities happen. Things slide into place just a bit easier. There
is actually some scientific psychology behind this unusual phenomenon,
but the biggest consideration is simply that it works!
Here is an example of a SMART weight loss goal:
“I will lose an average of 1-2 pounds per week from January
1st to April 1st by exercising a minimum of 4 times per week for at
least 45 minutes at each session, so that I can fit into my old clothes
and feel stronger doing my everyday activities.”
Now that you have written a SMART goal, here are just a few more
steps that almost guarantee you will achieve it.
1) Write down all the obstacles you can think of that
will prevent you from reaching your goal.
2) Write down all of the known solutions for overcoming the obstacles.
3) Write down the specific tasks that will be necessary to achieve
the goal.
4) Come up with a reward for reaching it!
5) Read your goals EVERY day.
6) Rewrite your main goal EVERY day.
7) Do something towards your goal EVERY day.
8) ENJOY your journey and your success!
Next week, we will list some specific traits of those that have successfully
kept their weight off for a minimum of one year and determine how
you can implement the same result-producing strategies.
Jeremy Nelms is the assistant manager at Prescott
Racquet Club and co-owner of Prescott’s
Adventure Boot Camp for Women. He can be reached at
www.PrescottBootCamp.com
or www.NelmsFitness.com.
Each week, this e-zine will bring you the concepts and methods and
tips that have been proven to create lifelong, effective results for
individuals – just like you – who started off with a strong
desire to change his or her appearance, health, and future.
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