Photo: we♥it
I have a goal. I’m focussed. I’m motivated. And I’m going to achieve it.
When we set goals we’re all fired up and determined to give it our everything no matter what. We always have the best intentions, and so we begin our journeys with zest and enthusiasm. As we venture down the road, as life would have it we come across our first pot hole. Life has presented us with a life lesson in this pot hole and how we handle it will determine how driven and dedicated we are to achieving our goal. So far so good, we’re back up and running again.
This next pot hole we encounter isn’t as easy as the last. Instead it’s going to take some manoeuvring around and by the looks of it will cost us time, valuable time. But we carry on none the less because we’re committed.
People around us start questioning us, doubting us. That okay, because it doesn’t deter us one little bit. Our GPS is set and we know where we’re going.
No matter what goal you set, how long it takes, what you encounter along the way or what other people think of you. This is your goal, your dream, your desire and no body else’s. So you’re the only person here who matters. So what if your circumstances change from day to day and it effects your goal in some way. Does that mean that you’ve failed? Does that mean you’re a failure? Of course it doesn’t.
When you start, when you finish and whether or not you reach your destination isn’t what really matters. Remember the age old saying of “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game”? Well it’s kind of like that. What matters is that you set your goal, you started your journey, you endured and overcome the many pot holes that life presented you and continued on regardless. Life being the unpredictable creature that it is does what it does and we simply have to accept it.
So like you I have come across many a pot hole along my journey to reaching my goal. Given it has changed along the way due to a pot hole it hasn’t stopped me, not one little bit. It’s still something positive that I’m working towards and come hell or high water I will achieve it, and nor should you. Focus on what’s important and be all that you can be.
I’m a goal orientated person and have been since the very beginning of my health and fitness journey. Jacqui Louder my sports psychologist introduced me to the S.M.A.R.T. Model and I haven’t looked back since that day. This time around though is going to be a little bit different to what I’ve done in the past. So what I’ve decided to do is post my monthly goal and result for everyone to see and follow right here on my home page right sidebar. You know what that means then don’t you. That means, that if I don’t update as required to do so that you have my permission to question me and make me accountable for my untimely actions. Call me crazy but I’m up for a new challenge . Like I always say “nothing ventured nothing gained”. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying so I’m just going to go for it!
So here’s what I’ve actually committed to doing. I’m currently at 180mm, I want to achieve 80mm and to do that slowly and healthily I’m aiming for a 2mm drop per week. That’s going to take me 13.5 months in total to do which will take me all the way through to 26th November of 2010. How’s that for a long term health and fitness goal. LOL!! To monitor my progress to make sure that what I’m doing is actually effective I’ll be using my scales daily to measure my weight & bodyfat then my calipers weekly to measure my skinfolds. All that information gets recorded and each month I’ll post my result on the right sidebar so you can see how I actually went. I’m taking things on a month by month basis so it’s slow and steady as it goes mentality.
Of course I’ve set some guidelines to follow that work for me and for my schedule but I’ll talk about that more in next weeks post. Until then….
Well here it is, my first long term goal for 2009. I’ve decided on 13 weeks to achieve 70mm skin folds. JD and I talked on the phone during the week and this is the figure he would like to see me at. Yesterday I sat down with my S.M.A.R.T. Model and worked everything out. Above is my chart for the 13 weeks and below is my rewards system. You’ll also notice that none of my rewards are focussed on food, instead they’re things that will help me towards achieving my health and fitness goals.
All that’s left to do is take my skin folds, divide that figure by 13 and that’s how many mm’s I’ll need to lose per week.
Although things won’t be without challenges. During the 13 weeks I’ll have surgery again followed by six weeks of detox but nothing worth having in life ever came easy so why whould this. As long as I’m moving forward with a positive frame of mind I’ll succeed.
My new training program is written, printed out and already in my gym bag. Daniel and I have worked out what days we’ll train and at what gyms seeing we have two to chose from. So not only will we have each other there for spotting and fault correction but we’ll also have some variety in equipment and gym’s to use. We’re both pretty excited about where things are heading now. Daniel’s still working towards competing again this year and I’m here to support him any way I can. We want to live a health and fitness lifestyle all year round, no more on season off season. This is only the beginning for the both of us.
I can’t wait to wake up tomorrow morning and hit the gym with vengeance.
Today I decided to implement change if I wanted to get things done around here. I know what doesn’t work because I’ve mastered the art of that. So instead of getting pleasantly distracted for hours on end by my trusty notebook I’m going to have my cake and eat it too. Well not really but figuratively speaking.
When I get up I have to eat my breakfast and take my supplements at the table otherwise things go pear shaped. That way, I’ve started my day on the right foot and that makes all the difference. Breakfast and supplements are out of the way and my water intake started. Then and only then can I logon to my notebook, download my all emails then open up my blog, Google Reader, Lindy’s Forum and Facebook. This is where the problem starts, I logon and am never heard or seen from again. No not really I’m only joking, but the housework sure does suffer from me being online. Not today it doesn’t! Once I’d done that I made a start and have already finished the toilet and mopped the hallway. So then I allowed myself time to type today’s blog while I waited for the floor to dry. Once I’ve typed this then it’s back to the list for the next task before breaking for my morning snack at 1000h. I’m sure by now you get the idea, work, play, work, play.
Today’s Goals
★ Spring Clean Toilet Done!
★ Spring Clean Bathroom Done!
★ Spring Clean Guest Room Done!
★ Mop Hallway Done!
★ Write Grocery Shopping List
★ Finish Assessment 8 Cert IV
So that’s the plan. Let’s see how I go, I have high hopes for myself so better get up off my butt if I want to achieve them all today. Or looking at the glass half full I will achieve all my goals today, if not for whatever reason that’s okay too though. They can be transferred over to tomorrow’s goals. So I’ll see how that goes and re-evaluate at the end of the day.
For my morning snack I’m having a toasted multi-grain muffin, lite ham, lite cheese, roma tomato, avocado with some american mustard. I’m hungry just thinking about it. At least I’m hitting the three hourly feed that I’m supposed to which by eating regularly will stimulate my metabolism again. Today is looking better.
Tim Martin and I have been emailing today and I was lucky enough to see photos taken of him yesterday. His condition is incredible at four weeks out so god only knows what he’s going to look like at the Vic Titles. It’s going to be a very interesting line up and I know who I’ll be hoping takes out the big title of Mr Victoria. Go Tim-o-tei!
Well I really should wrap this up now as it’s time for me to go and make my snack then back to housework. I’ll be back at the end of the day to let you know how my new plan worked out.
Don’t ever let go of your dreams no matter what.
S = Specific
Is your goal tangible?
Is your goal direct?
Is your goal clear?
M = Measurable
How will you know if you’re on track?
How will you know when you reach your goal?
A = Attainable
Is it possible for you to achieve your goal?
R = Realistic
Is it within your capability to achieve your goal?
T = Time Phased
Do you have a specific date when you will have achieved your goal?
Key Notes:
1. Your goals must be written down
2. They must be visible on a daily basis
3. Use a coloured paper as your eyes are naturally drawn to it
4. Create a rewards list for weekly, then fortnightly and monthly
5. Your rewards are to have no money or time restrictions imposed on them
So what are you waiting for? Get started NOW on YOUR goals!
