Setting Goals to Reach Your Potential

Exercise and nutrition are aspects of losing weight that take a lot of time and a lot of effort to be successful. I often find that clients set goals that are vague and or put too much pressure on themselves to achieve the large goal without working through the smaller steps first. Goals must be realistic, attainable and measurable.
Vague goals are difficult to define and often lead a person to keeping them longer than originally planned. First of all, it has to do with what is your goal today? Do you want to eat healthier, exercise more, decrease your soda intake? These are all great goals but how do you plan to achieve them? Do you have a plan to tackle these obstacles that have stood in front of you for so long and prevented you from moving forward? If not, you must address this first.

Q: What is your goal?
A: To exercise more.

Q: What does exercise more look like?
A: I want to exercise everyday.

Q: For how long?
A: 45 minutes.

Q: What type of exercise will you do?
A: I want to run, swim, hike, bike and play sports I like.

Q: When will you do these activities and for how long?
A: I will run on Mondays. Swim on Tuesday and Thursday. I will hike on Sundays with my
friends, I will bike to work on Wednesday and Fridays and play basketball on Saturday
morning. I will exercise for at least 45 minutes.

Q: When will you start?
A: I will start today. Today is Monday. I will run tonight after work.

Q: How will you track your progress?
A: I will make a daily log and check them off!

Q: When will you review your goals?
A: I will review them by the end of the month and make adjustments.

The original goal of exercising more has now been identified, defined, scheduled and will be monitored for changes within a specific time frame. It is more likely this client will achieve their goal of exercise with more enthusiasm, accountability and can move on at the end of the month to new goals. Maybe the next one is more specific and concentrates on increasing their running time. Goals should be personal, meaningful and motivate you to succeed. These is your life...define it...do it... and live it!