Setting SMART goals
Setting goals is critical to any successful fitness journey. But not all goals are created equal. In order to set yourself up for success, it's important to create SMART goals - specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. Read on to learn more about how to set SMART goals that will help you achieve your fitness dreams.
Define your goals - be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound
If you're serious about achieving success, you have to define your goals. But it's not enough to simply make broad strokes; you have to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Otherwise, how will you know when you've achieved it? This can take some thought; the more detailed your plan the better. Take some time to think it through and make sure that each of these points is addressed. Once you've planned everything out by making detailed and realistic goals within a timeline, you're in a much better position to reach your destination. It's like building a spaceship! You need blueprints and diagrams before launch day! So make sure you have this down before getting started on your path towards success.
Write down your goals so you can refer back to them often
Writing down your goals is one of the best things you can do to ensure you stay focused. When you jot them down, you will be more aware of where you're at in accomplishing them—say goodbye to wishing and hoping that they come true! Plus, if the goals ever begin to feel overwhelming or too far away, taking a look back at those written words can act as a source of motivation, pushing you to keep working towards success. Make sure your goals are clear and concise so that when it comes time to refer back to them, your ideal outcome will be top of mind. Get out there and write 'em down today!
Create a plan of action for each goal - what steps will you take to achieve it?
Every day it's up to you to decide what you want out of life and take proactive steps towards achieving those goals. When crafting a plan of action, it's important to think through the whole journey - from start to finish - so you can anticipate roadblocks and keep your motivation high. Break each goal down into mini-steps that are easy to execute and give yourself benchmarks to measure progress. Don't forget you'll likely encounter bumps in the road, but with every successful step, don't forget to reward yourself for your hard work! Have no doubt about it – when you create a solid plan for each goal and stick with it, success is bound to follow.
Set a deadline for each goal to keep yourself accountable
Everyone has goals they want to achieve, but the real challenge lies in actually holding yourself accountable to take action towards them. One highly effective approach is setting deadlines for each goal you want to accomplish. If a goal doesn't have a specific timeline associated with it, it can be hard to stay motivated and on track as time goes on. Without a clear endpoint, your goals can become deceptively easy to put off for "later". Setting deadlines adds much-needed structure, forcing you to take action and make strides towards your desired outcome. Deadlines help keep momentum going so that your life-altering ambitions don't get stuck in the mud. So don't forget – set a deadline for each and every one of your goals!
Celebrate your accomplishments along the way!
It's so easy to miss the beauty of everyday accomplishments. We're all busy, chasing success and trying to make our dreams come true - but that doesn't mean that we should forget to appreciate the small victories. Celebrate your milestones and say yes when life gives you something worth rejoicing! It's a powerful way to increase motivation and inspire further progress. The greatest success stories are built on recognition and reinforcement for achievements - no matter how big or small. So don't neglect to treat yourself every once in a while, it matters!
Setting and achieving goals requires dedication and hard work, but it’s an incredibly rewarding process. Now that you know the basics for goal setting and my tips for how to get it done, you have no excuses to not reach your desired outcomes. So what are you waiting for? Get out there, define your specific goals, create an action plan to meet them, set a timeline, and start smashing your goals! Reaching these milestones will grant satisfaction like nothing else – giving you the proof of your own potential and strength of character. Don't forget to celebrate and appreciate these moments, as successes can be far and few sometimes. Believe in yourself – you are capable of anything if you put in the resources available around you. Now go get em' tiger!
