Do you want to climb Mt. Everest? You may not have such a huge goal but you may want to do something that feels like an uphill battle. Maybe you finally decided that you want to take the steps to make changes to your body. Or maybe now that you are presenting more symptoms, you realize you need to take care of your health. How can you achieve those goals?
Coaching and dealing with life in general, I have found that in order to conquer your goals and stay on track, there are certain factors that must be in place:
- The most basic one is to have a defined goal in mind
- Then, you must find a path or way to achieve that goal
- Subsequently, you must have the right mindset
- Lastly, you should have in place habitual actions that help to keep that goal ignited
The first part, having a defined goal, is pretty straight forward. For instance, let’s say you may want to climb a mountain or lose weight and be healthier. It helps if you make your goal more precise. Instead of wanting to “climb a mountain,” plan to climb Mt. Marcy by June 30th. Instead of wanting to “lose weight,” plan to lose 10 pounds of body fat or decrease 2 dress sizes by the end of April. Instead of wanting to “be healthier,” plan to have your blood pressure or sugar levels within normal ranges in six months. You are more likely to achieve your goal if your goals are concrete, measurable, and have a time limit.
Then, you must find a path to achieve your goal. This requires that you understanding the series of steps that need to be in place that will help in order to arrive at your destination. You do not necessarily need to know every single step you need to take, but must have a general idea of what it’s required.
If you want to be on top of a mountain, be sure to know the physical state that your body needs to be in, the equipment needed to climb that mountain, and the best route to take. If you want to drop body fat, you have to know how can you successfully do so. Maybe you hire a coach that will give you the training and nutritional plan you need. You may need a gym membership or basic equipment to exercise at home. The picture of the path to take helps you break that goal into smaller one and makes the process less overwhelming.
With all that in place, the right mindset is key. Mindset is defined as “a set of assumptions or methods that are established, creating a powerful incentive.” In other words, the mindset encompasses the underlying beliefs that you carry day-in and day-out, guiding your actions. This aspect may be one of the hardest as, sometimes, assumptions and beliefs are deeply rooted.
You may have ingrained beliefs that keep you on a low-achieving spectrum. You may believe deep down inside that is impossible for you to be on top of that mountain or to have that ideal body you want. So you must switch your thoughts and start believing with all your heart that you are capable of attaining your goal.
Lastly, you must have regular habits that help to keep that goal ignited. They are simple things that you do regularly. For instance, start walking uphill most days of the week or carry a backpack on your daily travels to get you used to uphill climbing. Or in regards to your eating habits, maybe you avoid impulsive food-shopping and go to the supermarket on Sundays to have your daily meals ready. Or if you notice that you are less likely to go to the gym late on during the day when you go home after work, then pack your gym gear and exercise right after work. These are habits that may look insignificant but have a big effect on the achievement of your goals.
Remember, in order to succeed and stay on track, you must have a clear vision, a strategy in place, as well as the right mindset, discipline, and determination.
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
