Don’t do something just because someone said you should, or because you want to change how people feel about you. That may be counter productive and can backfire, according to Jeff Janata, chief of psychology at UH Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
When you want to lose some weight and become fit, do you do it because you feel you should and someone told you to do so? Or is the drive truly coming from within, do you really want to change your life for the better? Not for others, but for yourself?
Only if you are actually picking goals because you’re ready and eager to fulfill them will you actually succeed.
2. Choose Just ONE Goal
More isn’t always better. But when it comes to making good solid plans, less is usually more. Having no priority or goal, is just wandering aimlessly, having too many goals, is just setting up distractions for yourself.
Put first things first. Why pick 10 goals that you are going to abandon when you can just pick one that you are going to stick to?
Pick one goal, focus, accomplish it and then you can move on to new goals!
3. Set Achievable Goals
Don’t try flying before you can even run, or walk for that matter. Success doesn’t come in a leap. It comes from small baby steps, one small win and victory at a time.
You may have a huge daunting goal, but break them down into small achievable goals. That way you can celebrate each small success, keep your enthusiasm high.
If you have too huge of a goal, there is the risk of just one massive colossal failure that may make you just give up for good. Small simple goals keep you committed and ultimately successful.
4. Form A Plan of Attack
Don’t just follow a cookie cutter workout or diet plan out there. Get a coach or a trainer to help you with a customised plan. Plan your own personal how-to.
Without a clear cut structure and objective plan in your head, you are just going to be running around in circles. Winging it just doesn’t work.
A goal without a plan, is just a mess, like the post-apocalyptic TV show “The Walking Dead.” Chaos—minus the zombies. Create a plan and refer to it whenever you feel like deviating from your goals.
5. Get Accountable
When you need to be accountable to someone else, you usually get stuff done. If you are doing things yourself, you have a higher chance of failure when you walk the journey alone.
Want to know why? When we tell someone we’re going to do something, we need to live up to social expectations. Social power is unbelievably strong. When we tell our boss we are going to get that proposal done in a day, we accomplish our task. When we tell our client we’ll write that report, we deliver.
Having a workout buddy or coach to support you and make sure you stick to your plan will make all the difference between giving in to that cookie, skipping that workout and success.
6. Track Your Progress
Why are video games so exciting?
Because you keep getting to watch your character grow stronger/bigger/better/more powerful. If you play a game for thirty minutes, you can still see that your hero went from Level 10 to Level 11, increased his strength and dexterity by 1 point and defeated the mini-boss.
If you don’t keep scores, games probably aren’t that fun.
In the same vein, level up your life! Track your weight weekly, measure yourself with a tape measure to see if you’re losing centermetre around your waist, hips, chest, legs, etc. If you’re lifting weights, track your workouts on an excel sheet or notebook!
When you don’t progress, you know you have to push harder. When you do, you know it’s working!
START NOW
Do This
Write Down Why You Want This
(Muscle Gain/Fat Loss/Healthier Lifestyle)
Take a notebook and ask yourself why you want this
Hire A Coach or Get A Friend To Help
Get someone like me who has been through the fitness journey (@myoswole) or any great coach or even just a friend to assist you in your journey! It is a small investment, but a worthwhile one
Stick To Your Plan
Don’t give up no matter what
Start Now
Waiting for a date to start is ridiculous. Any goal worth pursuing should be done right now!
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