The connection between intention and the follow through is fairly crucial, I'm sure we can all agree on that. When it comes to fitness, we see a distinct dislocation so often between what people set out to achieve and what they actually do achieve.
It's only February and all those New Year resolutions seem a thing of the distant past and the old habits that have haunted start to creep back in. Let's face it, we are creatures of habit, of this there is no denying. However, you are completely in control of the habits that you adopt and need not worry about being haunted by the old and often too easy habits creeping back in.
When it comes to setting goals and keeping yourself inline with your intentions, here are some top tips that will make your goals much smarter than those around you:
- Be specific with your targets but more importantly, have an ongoing aim that runs continually alongside shorter and more specific aims. For example: I aim to always take the greener option and avoid using the car unless absolutely necessary. Unless you have back to back specific targets, once each one is done, there is no plan in place and you've all heard the 'failing to plan is planning to fail' saying. Another example may be that every year, I aim to try and learn a completely new type of exercise / activity.
- Focus on your feelings more than numbers. Living in a world where statistics and quantities are all too readily available, we can often get far too obsessed with weight, body fat and other figures that can become the pinacle of self judgement. If you are going to make judgements of yourself then you'd need to be taking an unthinkable number of tests and assessments to make sure that the readings give you a fair and accurate reflection of your state of health. Make life easy and go on your feelings.
- Take time on a regular basis to think about achieving and know exactly how it feels, how it makes you feel, how it looks in as much detail as possible. Make these details familiar and reflect upon them when you're not feeling at your strongest. This may be whilst reaching for a chocolate bar or whilst your struggling to finish your last press up. Strong feelings that have such positive attachement and meaning for you will work like a great weapon for you...you'll be surprised. This is similar to a rehearsal in sports and used by many that achieve on a high level. So much time is spent in preparation going through every possible detail. It may sound strange but prepare yourself to achieve.
- Tell those that you love and trust. We all admire achievers and people who are driven and you'll be supported and respected for your goals...who knows, maybe you'll inspire. However, it's a bizarre human trait to feel fear of ridicule when it comes to having goals or aspirations. Know this...when we're born we have two intrinsic fears which are 'loud noises' and 'falling'. All other fears are learnt and fabricated. They don't serve a purpose!
Hope this helps and I look forward to your comments.
