New Year. New Goals

Although many people have gone sour on the idea of setting New Year’s resolutions, I am a firm believer. A new year can represent a fresh start. It’s an opportunity to reflect on your past and plan for your future.

Both in fitness and in life I believe in the power of goal setting. With my clients, I check in with them regularly to make sure they’re on track with their health & fitness goals. I see it as my duty (and pleasure) to remind and encourage them of where they’re hoping to be in the future and I want to do the same for you.

It makes sense why so many people have thrown in the towel on the idea of resolutions. So many of them are forgotten and failed within the first few months. But there is a better way.

Setting resolutions is simply goal setting wrapped up in tradition & celebration.

The problem is that we often don’t take them as seriously once the holiday has come and gone. This year, I encourage you to set a few goals for the new year. Touch base with yourself. What are you hoping to accomplish in 2012? What would you like to improve? What would you like to see more or less of in your life?

What many people fail to consider when setting resolutions is that HOW we do it is paramount. The way in which you set your goals can set you up for success or failure. People who take time to set intelligent goals are far more successful in life than those who don’t. In a comprehensive review of over 100 clinical studies on goal setting, it was found that 90% of studies showed positive effects of goal setting on task performance. 90%! Goal setting is at the heart of success.

The “How”…

Goal Setting Guidelines:
– Include both short-term & long-term goals
– Identify goal achievement strategies (how do you plan to get there?)
– Set positive goals as opposed to negative goals (focus on success instead of failure)
– Write them down and post them somewhere you will see them regularly
– Set a date in the near future to sit down & evaluate your progress

All goals should be SMART goals:

Yes, it’s a cheesy acronym, but it’s proven to work. Each goal you set should be:

S – Specific. Avoid vague goals such as “I want to work out more” or “I want to eat more fruit”. Get ridiculously specific.

M- Measurable. Create goals in which you can track your progress.

A- Adjustable. In order to stay on track, you may need to re-evaluate and adjust a goal. Life is not always in our control, things change and it’s important to be flexible. Don’t give up, you ARE allowed to make adjustments.

R- Realistic. Perhaps the number one reason many resolutions fail is because they aren’t realistic. If you haven’t worked out in years, then please don’t decide to workout 7 days a week. You will set yourself up for failure. Make them realistic, there is no prize for setting the loftiest goals.

T- Timely. Every goal you set should have a corresponding date. Choose a few short-term goals and a few long-term goals. In fact, the short-term goals are baby steps toward your long-term goals. They will keep you motivated and encouraged along the way.

Take a a little time to sit down with a cup of coffee and whip out your old journal. 2012 is yours for the making.