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Effective Goal Setting
Effective goal setting must be a part of any fitness program. Here are guidelines that will help you set
the right types of goals.
Goals must be specific. Many people set goals that are vague, such as "I want to lose weight" or
"I want to get in shape." Vague goals don’t generate results. A goal has to be specific enough so you know
exactly what you're striving for. "I will lose 20 pounds in three months" is an example of a specific goal.
Goals must be measurable. You have to be able to determine whether or not you're making progress
toward a goal. You also have to be able to determine when you've achieved a goal.
Goals must be attainable. Many people set goals that are unrealistic and then give up on their
fitness program out of frustration. Goals must be challenging but also attainable. If you're new to fitness,
set moderately challenging goals. If you reach your goals earlier than expected, you can set more ambitious
ones.
Goals must have time frames. A time frame creates a sense of urgency and keeps you focused on a
goal. Divide goals into long-term, short-term, and daily goals. A long-term goal should cover three to six
months. It should be a goal that really motivates you, something that's out of reach at the moment but that
can be accomplished eventually. A short-term goal should cover one week to one month. A short-term goal keeps
you motivated and lets you know if you're moving in the right direction. A daily goal will give you a feeling
of accomplishment and keep your momentum going.
If you don't accomplish a goal in a given time frame don't think of it as a failure. You just underestimated
the time frame required to accomplish the goal. Adjust your time frame to make it more realistic.
Goals must have emotion tied to them. Determining the reason why you want to achieve a goal and why
that's important to you adds emotion to a goal. And the more emotion you have the more motivated you’ll be.
Getting emotionally involved with a goal impresses it deeper into your subconscious mind, and whatever idea
is fixed in your subconscious mind will always express itself in behavior.
Goals must be written down. A written goal brings clarity and focus and gives you a direction. A
written goal is also a powerful reminder that you can use to keep yourself on track.
Start each written goal with "I" as this will make the goal more personal and empowering. Write goals in
the positive not the negative. Focus on what you hope to achieve not what you want to leave behind. Review
your written goals on a regular basis and update them as needed. Regularly reviewing your goals is an effective
way to penetrate and program your subconscious mind.
In conclusion, effective goal setting does not have to be a difficult or daunting task. By following the
guidelines on this page, you'll have a strong set of goals in no time.
Recommended Resource
GoalPro is the finest goal setting
software on the market. GoalPro provides you with all of the necessary tools to define, maintain, track, and
achieve your goals. GoalPro also offers a free trial version.
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