“Failing to plan is planning to fail”
If you succeed or fail the outcome is because of you. It can seem a bit overwhelming to think about that whole ball of wax that is your life. How do you set up the habit of excellence? GOAL SETTING!
Goal setting is something that we take for granted but is invaluable to achieve personal fulfillment. No matter what the goal you have in mind these steps will be a great resource and tool to help you succeed.
When setting your goals be SMART. A useful way of making goals more powerful is to use the SMART mnemonic:
- S – Specific
- M – Measurable
- A – Attainable
- R – Relevant
- T – Time-bound
Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal.
As a new powerlifter I had a goal of squatting 700 lbs. At the time I was able to do just over 600+. I made my goal simple enough: squat 700 lbs. It was obviously measurable BUT it would still need to be given the thumbs up from qualified lifters in my gym to make certain it was achieved to certain standards.
When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true…IF YOU REALLY WANT IT! THAT IS THE PURSUIT OF BEING EXCELLENT MEN! You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.
So I was specific along with a goal that was measurable but how to attain that 700 squat? That took time to look at my weaknesses in my technique. I read up on maximizing my leverages as well. I made a large training cycle to get my CNS ready to fire on all cylinders. I cover all variables that would either help or hurt my progress.
You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Reread that last sentence because I firmly believe that it is totally possible. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. When you list your goals you build your self-image. You see yourself as worthy of these goals, and develop the traits and personality that allow you to possess them. The Secret may be a little weird for a movie but that positive power of the mind really is something to note and utilize. At worst you were not a negative tool bag that no one wanted to be around.
To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. Some of the hardest jobs you ever accomplished actually seem easy simply because they were a labor of love.
Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Additional ways to know if your goal is realistic is to determine if you have accomplished anything similar in the past or ask yourself what conditions would have to exist to accomplish this goal.
A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there’s no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 lbs of fat, when do you want to lose it by? “Someday” won’t work. But if you anchor it within a time frame, “by May 1st”, then you’ve set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal.
So there you have it. Setting goals is something we all need to do. No matter what you attain, the process is really the success as you build yourself once more.
I coach the sport of powerlifting while inspiring & empowering every person to be strong, healthy & balanced as possible. Info@rawpowerlifter.com
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