Generally a goal is something you want to achieve that you haven’t yet achieved. Almost everyone has set goals at some point in their lives, whether they be related to education, money, business, skills or hobbies, travel or experiences, overcoming phobias and yes, fitness related goals such as weight loss or gaining muscle.
Most schools will teach children about the importance of setting and achieving goals. If they don’t, hopefully most parents will for their own children. The worrying thing is that by the time these children becomes adults, most of them will no longer set goals for themselves.
In the article ‘Why don’t adults set goals for themselves?’ which was published last week, I outline 7 reasons why people don’t set goals for themselves. The main reason which permeates through all the ‘excuses’ is that people are too scared that they’ll fail, so they don’t set the goals in the first place.
Goals always involve an element of risk. The risk is that you’ll end up failing your goals. People play it easy by either not setting goals in the first place, making goals easy so they’ll always succeed, or making up very ambiguous goals so that it’s difficult to tell if they have succeeded or failed. You’ll get nowhere very fast if you do play it easy like that.
Do you want to get somewhere? Great, then accept the risk and overcome your fears of failing! If you do fail, don’t worry about it, just review what you could have done better and try again.
Once you are ready to risk failing you will be ready to choose your goal:
Your goals should be achievable
Don’t tightening your strings to far. Make sure you’re not going to set yourself up to fail by attempting to commit a world record!
Your goals should be challenging
Try and aim for something you’ve never reached before. This way you have to reprove yourself. Ask around in fitness/bodybuilding forums on whether your goal is achievable or not.
Your goals should involve a timeframe
If you don’t specify a timeframe you’ll be working towards your goal for years. Set a date and aim for it.
Your goals should be in written form
Write the goal down. If it only exists in your head you’re not going to be motivated enough to achieve it.
Your goals should be followed through by journaling
Keep a journal so that you know that on a daily and weekly basis you are working towards the goal you’ve set for yourself. Record what you eat, what exercises you’re performing, and what gains you’re making. If you run your fitness like a business instead of a Sunday afternoon habit you’re far more likely to get there!
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