Goals - Why We Love & Hate Them

"Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement."

~Brian Tracy, Eat that Frog

Here is my current list of goals from the past three weeks that I created for the 30 Day Push with Chalene Johnson. We re-write the list each week to see where I have made changes and focus in my life. The one's that are on the list week after week are:

• Lose and keep off 5 lbs
• *Get into Dental Hygiene School
• **Become an Emerald Coach
• Teach Spin Class again
• Find my Happy Bliss
• Pay off College Loan
• Pass Pre-req Classes

Other things I had listed we're buy a new laptop, 6-pack abs, travel the world, etc. etc. Chalene told us to not let money, people, or anything for that matter hold us back and that our goals could be CRAZY! But the question was asked, "How do you manage to set your goals? I always set goals but they're astronomical and stressful lol. I would like to know how to set reasonable goals and what you consider when you set them?" and "Do you think it is good to take small steps towards your health goals or to jump in with both feet, so to speak?"

So for me, I set goals based on what is CURRENT in my life, such as: teaching group fitness classes, being in school, dating, on a never-ending but-oh-so-fun health and fitness journey... etc. etc. I don't let anything hold me back. That's the nice thing about goals, they don't have to be accomplished today... but if they make it on your list, you'll start to keep them in your mind and start to work towards them. 

Step 1 - Set your goals. I like this theory of making a new list of goals for the year each week. I can see where my life's focus is and see what I want and need to spend some extra time on. However, make your goals SMART.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable

Realistic
Time-bound

Step 2 - Make a plan. How are you going to achieve these goals and what do you need to get there. Write it all out, step by step.

Step 3 - Get to work. DO what you need to do each and everyday to make progress toward achieving your goals. If it helps, make a list next to the specific goal with everything you can do to get there and start crossing off the tasks along the way. This creates a visual and your brain will love to see the progress.

Step 4 - Stick to it.  If you need to work on one at a time, or take baby steps, then do it. But DO NOT set a goal and do nothing about it. Goals take time and commitment and are not for the lazy.

Step 5 - Reach your goal. You finally did it, you put in the time and effort and it paid off! How happy and proud are you in this very moment?

When I make my list of goals, I do dive in with both feet. I want my goals to be a part of my everyday life and a big part of my daily focus so that I know I am making good progress toward achieving them. Baby steps are good for the really BIG ones, but you have to be willing to dive in at some point to reach full potential. Let's think about it in terms of swimming, you can't finish the race, unless you dive off the starting block.

Here's my update on my goals:

• Lose and keep off 5 lbs - Doing War of the Workouts. I know I am down a pound or two, but more importantly, I love the feeling of being active and healthy
• *Get into Dental Hygiene School - I have 3 of 6 applications filled out. Just doing last minute touches and they will be in the mail for review. I no joke, kiss each one for good luck :-)
• **Become an Emerald Coach - I continue to reach out and connect with people to build my TBB team. I hope to make an impact on people and show them how great of an opportunity it is to be a TBB coach <3
• Teach Spin Class again - This was my first group fitness certificate I received  but spinning is not big in this small town. I hope that college will open some doors in bigger cities so that I can get back on and climb
• Find my Happy Bliss - I had this about four years ago and I felt my best at that time, and loved everything. I call it a high-on-life feeling. I feel like its starting to come back
• Pay off College Loan - This is something I want done before I start Dental Hygiene school. I took a HUGE leap by going to a private college out-of-state, but it was the best investment and opportunity I ever took 
• Pass Pre-req Classes - I only have two left and I am a week into the semester. I am 2-weeks ahead of schedule on labs and homework so this is definitely looking good for me. 

So like Ms. Frizzle always said, "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!"