Importance of Goal Setting

Today was my active day of rest, and every Sunday I take about an hour to go over my personal workouts and fitness related goals. So, while its fresh on my brain, I figured today was a perfect day to write about the importance of goal setting. If you take a look at most successful people, you will find that a common trend develops. Most, if not all of them, did not get to where they are today without some planning. This same principle falls true in all other aspects of life, including fitness. If you want to find success in your workouts, you first have to know what you want to achieve from them. One of the best ways to do this is by writing out your goals for the next week, month, and year.
Because your sitting here reading this, I'm assuming you probably have a couple of minutes on your hands. :) Take this time to start with your goal setting. The first step in goal setting is to choose the categories you want to set goals for. A couple to get you started are Physical (anything health and fitness related), Career, Finances, and Attitude. I chose these because most peoples workouts are affected by the stressors that come from one of these categories. But if you have goals set in these categories already, you will be prepared for the pifalls that you might come across during your workouts.
The next step to this whole process is brainstorming. Remember when you were a kid and you used to sit around with friends talking about how you were going to climb everest, or walk from one side of the U.S. to the other. When we were younger, no goal was to big, everything was achievable. That's how I want you to brainstorm. Forget about what everyone tells you you cant do. What do YOU want? What do YOU want to achieve? Where do YOU want to be at? Do this in each of the categories. For Example: What are your fitness goals? Lose weight, bulk up, walk on your hands for a mile, become the next Ninja Warrior? One reason people don't write down their goals, is because their afraid of failing. Failing is apart of life. :) One of my goals was being able to do a handstand. When I first started out, I failed..alot. :D But every time I screwed up, I learned a little more about better technique, and what did and didn't work for me. Today, handstands are a cinch, but if I had never stuck with it I would never have known if I was able to do it. So you see, the great thing about goal setting is that when you do fail, you can take a look at your goals see where you went wrong, and then move forward to success.
After brainstorming its finally time to put the goals into more definable terms. This is where you have to be specific. When writing your goals how try to follow these rules:
1. Make sure your goals are specific
2.Make sure your goals use affirmitive language
3.Make sure your goals are Concise
4. Make sure your goals are measurable
5.Make sure your goals use present tense language

For example, alot of people start out saying they want to lose weight. How much weight to you want to lose? Do you want to lose weight or do you want to lose body fat? When do you want to lose the weight by?
A better way to state this: I lost 5% body fat by March 5, 2010. After you've done this talk about how you will achieve these goals. Example: I lift weights 5x a week M-F. I eat 5-6 small meals daily. I run M,W, F for 30 min. You guys get it. Basically just plan how your going to get to each goal you want to achieve, that way the path is set out for you.

After this, make sure you go back to your goals on a weekly basis to see where you are towards achieving your goals. Also, as your working out, you may reach your goals sooner then expected! Its then time to create new goals. Make sure to make goals that challenge you as you become stronger and more fit. If you do all of this, I know that your will find success in all of your fitness endeavors. Keep up the good work!
Goal setting:
1.Pick your categories
2.Brainstorm
3. Write down specific goals for 1 week, 1 month, 1 year.
4.Write down how you will achieve these goals
5. Track your goals and progress weekly
6.Award yourself for successfully reaching your goals.
-AY