What are You Aiming For?
What do you think would happen if a target shooter was trying to hit a bull’s eye on a target, but the target kept shifting to the left and then to the right? Would he be successful? No, hitting a moving target is nearly impossible.
Your good intentions are very much like a moving target: until you get very specific, you will not be able to finally set yourself on a trajectory for success. You must clearly define your goals. Then you can focus, take action and make things happen.
So let’s take minute to think about what your goals are.
- How many days per week do you want to exercise?
- Which article of clothing in your closet do you want to fit into again?
- What foods do you wish you could gain control over and begin resisting?
- How many pounds would you like to add to your dumbbells?
- Which doctor appointment have you been putting off?
Once you answer these questions, you will have in front of you some ultra-specific goals that are unmoving and reachable. You can begin your journey towards them with full confidence that you will reach them.
Build Momentum
Author Brian Tracy has written a life-changing book called, Eat that Frog, and in it he talks about the Momentum Principle of Success. It goes like this:
“This principle says that although it may take tremendous amounts of energy to overcome inertia and get started initially, it then takes far less energy to keep going.”*
I think he is right on track. Have you ever noticed that the toughest part of reaching your goal is just getting started? Just getting off the couch and starting a new exercise routine or passing on the yummy treat for the first time is really hard! And it definitely isn’t fun!
So what’s the secret? How do you get momentum in the first place? Accountability. Often, just having someone else involved with you in your efforts is all it takes to cause a radical shift in your behavior and in your motivation.
The truth is that we need each other. We need that external motivation to carry us through when we are facing tough temptation—whether that temptation is to stay on the couch or to eat that cookie in the break room.
The good news is that once you get started, you will pick up momentum and it will become easier and easier to keep moving in the direction of your goals.
So let’s put all this together.
First, define your goals by answering the questions above.
Second, decide on some strategic moves that you can design to make reaching those goals a certainty. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Arrange your schedule so that you block out time to exercise at least 3 days each week. You may need to say no to some things, get a baby sitter or give up a little free time.
- Look through your kitchen, office and car and identify the foods that tempt you. Throw them out and replace them with healthy, life-giving choices like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and nuts.
- Replace one meal per day with Shakeology—so you are guaranteed to feed your body the super nutrition that will give you the physical and mental stamina to continue making right choices in the face of temptation. Remember: mind and body are intricately connected. If you are not fueling your body correctly, your will power will be drastically reduced.
- Find one or more accountability partners to journey with you. You will find that your moments of weakness seldom happen at the same time, so each of you will always have the other’s strength to lean on when you need it.
- In honor of National Women’s Health Week, ask your doctor about which screenings are right for you. There are screenings that can access critical areas and catch problems when they are mild and treatable. Examples include blood pressure, mammogram, bone density, and heart health. You can learn more about screenings here.
When you know where you want to end up, you can take some specific actions to get there. Today you change your life.
Your target is steadied and you have a plan.
*Tracy, Brian (2007-01-01). Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (p. 107). Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Kindle Edition.
