“Failure to plan is planning to fail”
We’ve all heard this quote before, but how often do you apply it?
It can apply to all aspects of your life. My brother, Brian, helps people plan their financial futures everyday. He sits down and assesses their current situation, goals, time-line and then applies a program that fits their situation. After their initial meeting, they meet and talk periodically to see if they need to adjust their plan. It is a long term plan of attack.
There are people that fail to save. People that constantly monitor their investments. And people that question the plan of attack. All these people drive my brother nuts.
Why does this happen?
I believe it happens because they have lost focus of the long term goal and are caught up by the bumps in the road.
This situation parallels the personal training plans that I set with my clients.
People come to me everyday and want to improve their health, appearance, and self-image. It is my job to assess their current situation, their goals, the time line and to lay out a plan so they can reach their goals quickly, safely, and efficiently. I think of it like a partnership. I am the guide that helps point the person down the correct path. It is the person’s responsibility to follow my advice, to show up and to implement the habits we’ve agreed will help them hit their goal. These habits include adjustments to their nutrition, management of their time, additional techniques for their recovery, and additions of gratefulness and affirmations to improve their mindset.
Unfortunately, very few people accept these changes.
They resist change.
“Someone brought donuts into the office!?”
“I was busy”
“I made it for the kids”
INSERT EXCUSE HERE: “… “
I do understand. Change can throw us all for a loop. We are creatures of habit. Every aspect of our life involves habits.
What do you do when you wake up?
Where do you go for lunch?
What do you do after work?
When I am helping someone reach their fitness goals, it always involves change, but I have a secret that can make change easier.
Want to hear the secret about change?
Here are 3 simple ways to change without suffering along the way.
#1 Your goal has to be important! This part cannot be emphasized enough. Your goal has to be specific, and it MUST stir up your emotions. Your goal has to be important. Want to lose 40 lbs? Great, it better be important or the next time they have a fat-filled lunch like pizza, burgers, or buffets-o-pot-luck/leftover-haven you will falter. Don’t even get me started on when you may be tempted by tasty-treats, sugary-snacks, and candied-creations. If your goal is not important, you are going to indulge, period.
#2 Get organized and plan out your week. You’ve got to be prepared every week, or you will get side-tracked. Think about your average week. Do you have good food at-the-ready, or do you react and eat whatever is available? Do you drink water all day long, or do you hardly drink any at all? Are you rushing around all day, or are you moving through your day with purpose? The key to losing weight, and feeling great is pro-actively moving through each day, being prepared and ready for whatever life throws at you. To accomplish this, you will need to set yourself up with good choices. Bring a cooler. Get a water bottle. Do whatever it takes, and these preparations will help keep you more consistent during your hectic week.
#3 Keep your eye on the prize! Life happens, and by this I mean life will always be full of things that side-track us. Work, bills, sleep, stress, kids, family, tickets, flat tires, taxes, etc… Everyone has a stuff to deal with, but that’s not going to get you to what is important. The most successful people, stay focused on the goal what is important to them. They are laser-focused on the things they need to accomplish daily, getting them a little closer to their goal. Sure you may have good days and bad days, but you adapt, adjusting along the way. You never quit!
Losing unwanted weight, getting in shape for a race, or developing a show stopping physique all require change. Developing a killer body requires consistent effort, and the ability to plan, prioritize, and navigate through your week. It will not always be easy, but it is what is required of you in order to accomplish the goal.
What is your goal this year? This month? This week?
Is it important?
Imagine how great you will feel when you accomplish it!
What will you feel like?
What will other people say?
How will these new changes affect your life?
Think about it, and then get out there and MAKE IT HAPPEN!
aguyett says
Couldn’t be said better! I appreciate the depth and importance in which you emphasize the why more than the how….That is often forgotten and usually more important in accomplishing any goals.