Goal Setting Part 1
Goal setting is an extremely powerful tool when applied in both weight management and sports performance. This is not a trivial process that you do a half-hearted job of. Effective goal setting is a continual process that will drastically increase the likelihood of you achieving the outcome you desire.
Effective goal setting is not simply a case of saying “I want to lose 10kg this summer” or “I want to win the Gold Coast Marathon”. If you want success, you will need to apply your goal setting more thoughtfully and this means considering the PURPOSE of the process.
The Purpose of Setting Goals
- Keep you motivated and focused
- Enable you to feel a sense of achievement
- Monitor your progress and the effectiveness of your strategy
- Provide you with a step by step set of objectives so that you can train with purpose
- Make a commitment to yourself
With these things in mind you can set about constructing your goals more effectively. Of course you need your long term goalsas these will dictate what you do in the short term. However it is your short term goals that require the most focus as these form the stepping stones that will take you where you want to go.
Planning is The Key
When you know your long term goal then you can determine what short term goals will form your plan of action. If you can’t think of a long term goal, don’t let this limit you, start knocking off some challenging short term goals anyway. When planning your goals, using the S.M.A.R.T principle will help you get it right:
S. Specific goals are the most effective. Don’t be vague, know exactly what you want to achieve. Simple but challenging short term goals will help form a step by step process.
M. Set measurable goals so that you can monitor your progress and know exactly when you have achieved them.
A. Goals must be attainable so that you stay motivated and experience a continual sense of achievement. Goals also need to be adjustable so as to allow flexibility in the case of unexpected circumstances (eg illness, injury) or when you progress faster than expected.
R. Setting realistic goals is essential, which means having a good understanding of your starting point and what is physically possible. Setting unrealistic goals will either make you lose motivation or employ unhealthy short-cuts. Your short term goals should also be related to your long term goal.
T. Apply time frames to your goals. A certain time frame within which you must reach your goal. These time frames for your short term goals need to take into account your long term goals.
Generally speaking it is best to set positive goals, that is goals that are things you will do as opposed to things that you won’t do. Also make sure your goals challenge you. Most importantly write down your goals and place them where you can see them regularly. I’ve never had a goal on my bathroom mirror that I did not achieve. When you achieve these goals, tick them off and celebrate your achievement.
