The Power of A Plan
***Please note that this post was originally an article featured in the Feb/March 2012 issue of Fit & Firm Magazine, which can be found at: www.fitandfirmmag.com for reference. With it being New Year’s Day, I know a number of us have likely established a list of resolutions or new goals that we are setting out to achieve. This being said, when we have a goal, it is essential that we have a plan of attack in place in order to excel! Continue reading for more detailed…I promise, it will be well worth it!***
5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Happy New Year! A month or so into the New Year, we have charged into 2012, focused and ready to take action on a number of goals and resolutions we had set for ourselves as 2011 came to a close. Psyched, determined and focused, nothing could stand in our way this year, not 2012! A new year, a brand new or improved you, taking our fitness to the next level, setting a new personal challenge, or simply taking interest in a new hobby- the options are endless and the world is our oyster as we countdown on December 31! Well…what happens after the excitement, shine and glimmer of the New Years’ Eve parties (and toasts of champagne or protein shakes) begin to dim and obstacles and daily circumstances we call “life” come into play?
The eternal optimist, I would love nothing more than to state that those who have created resolutions or set new goals always stick to their plan and end up a success story. However, I am certain that many of us (myself included), have fallen prey to the “resolution disruption” and have at times fallen off the wagon or our determination has dwindled post- New Years’ Eve glitz and promise. Research proves this theory to be correct, with a startling array of statistics available specific to the longevity and success of New Years’ resolutions. Not surprisingly, weight-loss tops the list as the number one resolution made by adults- and only 75% of them successfully make it through the first week on Resolution Road. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the further into the year you go, the less likely of success. At six months, less than half of those that set out on this mission have thrown their hands up and decided “Oh well, next year will be my year!”
Never one to dwell on the negative, I am proud (although a bit embarrassed, I will admit, as this next statement may take procrastination to a whole new level!) of the fact that this was the first year in nearly a decade that “compete in my first fitness competition” was not at the top of my list of resolutions or goals. Yes, that is right- first time in a DECADE! Slightly embarrassed that it took me nearly ten years to muster up the confidence, focus, determination and dedication to compete, in 2011 I finally did step on stage for The WBFF at my first fitness competition. Reflecting on this made me question,” How come this goal, along with other goals I and many others had set before, took such a sideline and years to come to fruition?” It then dawned on me that in the years prior to 2011, never before did I have a clear cut plan and decisive steps of action in place to achieve my goal! Wow, talk about a life-changing difference something so simple (and likely obvious to many out there) as having a plan in place can make! What in the world had I been waiting for?
So you’ve got a goal- now what? Whether or not you are still focused and on a path towards success for resolutions made, these simple reminders still apply. Following the actual act of deciding upon specific goals for yourself, plotting your course of action and the steps to take in achieving such goals is a necessary component that is often overlooked. Redefine your goals, your plan of attack and what steps of action you are going to take in order to achieve these goals, as this will be vital to your success. If you find that you are slightly off course from where you started out at the outset of January, have no fear- time to refocus on our priorities and what achieving each of these goals will mean.
While there are a number of professional goal-setting guidelines out there, keeping our plan of attack simple and concise is key in to not overwhelm us or overshadow the goal itself. We have likely all heard of S.M.A.R.T (as well as my new favorite, S.M.A.R.T.E.R.) goals, but let’s make it even easier than that in four simple steps-
– Overall Goals
– Obstacles
– Solutions
– Timeframe
To put this into perspective, while at a fitness camp this past summer, I wrote down five goals and the steps necessary to make them happen. In attempt to not bog down the focus of each step, I limited myself to one sentence per step of action. This was the first time in my adult life that I had ever written down my goals and plan of attack in such a clear, basic manner. To say that I am now a firm believer in this practice is an understatement, as four of the five “long-shot” goals have already been achieved within the past six months. To provide you with one of my own examples of how simple these four steps can be, here are steps that I identified and promptly put into action:
– Overall Goal: To help reach others through fitness (educate, motivate, inspire, work with clients again)
– Obstacle: Current full-time job is not in the fitness industry
– Solution: Put in extra effort after hours of full-time job and start training or working with clients again
– Timeframe: ASAP! Within the next 30-60 days, make a change!
I saved this worksheet, as all of the goals I had listed were of high priority to me. I even posted the list on my refrigerator to serve as a constant reminder. I knew I really wanted to get back into fitness full-time, but I was in medical sales, how would I be able to drop that career and jump headfirst back into fitness? As my plan would have it, various posts on Facebook and other forms of social media lead to people reaching out to me, inquiring about online training and if I offered such services. Perfect, I thought- I can work all day at my normal job and work on programs for clients at night. Sure, I would not have much (any) spare time, but this was a necessary step of sacrifice in order to achieve my long-term goal. One online client and a number of other client referrals later, I soon found myself giving notice to my employer and packing my apartment up in order to relocate back to Los Angeles. My goal of helping others through health and fitness had been achieved- and my timeframe? Let’s just say that my jaw literally dropped and I laughed out loud at myself as I stared at the goal sheet, when it all happened 60 days to the day I had set my plan in motion.
Whatever your own goals, fitness related or not, and at any time of year- reevaluating and honing in on these basic steps will get you back on track and guide you to success. Will the process involve hard work? You bet. Sacrifice? You know it. Achieving even one of the goals you have set for yourself because you followed a clear, simple plan- priceless and worth every ounce of energy put forth. So what if you got off track for a bit- don’t brush aside your lofty goals and ambitions and continue off track…refocus. Take control and truly make 2012 YOUR year of accomplishment! With these four simple steps in place, my own goals have been set and clearly defined- I have identified my obstacles and have a list of solutions. Oh, and the timeframe for my number one goal set for 2012? Simple- results to be shared the weekend of August 24-25, 2012 in the pursuit of a WBFF World Fitness Championship title.