A former client that owned several health club facilities
said that he sells more memberships in the months of December and January than
the rest of the year. Why is this? This is due to our human desire to get in
shape and change our body image. He said
is that you will find his facility packed to capacity during the month of
January and February- with long lines at the machines and the classes full of
people. But, wait until March or April–
70% of the people that started working-out in January just QUIT!!
The problem with making New Year’s Resolution is that it
sets you up for failure. The best test
for you is to determine if have S.M.A.R.T goals. S.M.A.R.T. refers to goals that are Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Framed.
Specific: Goals
need to be specific. Often we set goals that are so loose, therefore it's
nearly impossible to judge whether you achieve these goals or not. For example,
a statement like "I wish I will lose weight" is too vague. How will
you know if and when you've reached your goal? Setting a goal like, “I will
lose two pounds each and every week for this year", is more specific. At
the end of each week and month it will be a simple matter of weights and
measures: take your measurements and get on the scale.
Measurable: Goals
need to be measurable. For example, many of us want to increase our number of
contacts. But, "meeting new clients" is an ambiguous statement. A
clearer objective is "I will meet three new prospects each week, and at
least one of each of these prospects will become a client.” It's a simple, concrete goal. This makes it
easy to see if you hit your target.
Achievable: Goals
need to be reasonable and achievable. Nearly everyone has tried to drop a few
pounds at one time or another. Often their success or failure depends on
setting practical goals. Losing 15 pounds in 30 days is unrealistic (unless
you're planning a medical procedure). Losing two pounds per week is reasonable
and achievable. So in order to lose just two pounds per week, you decrease your
caloric intake by 7000 calories per week (a reduction of 3500 calories equals
one pound of weigh loss) and you can do this by reducing your daily intake by
just 1000 calories and increasing your activity. Make it easy, enjoyable, and
achievable; however don't set yourself up for failure by setting goals that are
out of reach.
Realistic: Goals
need to be realistic. Guess what, we are not 18 years old anymore, so stop
thinking you can still do everything as you once did. As adults, we learn that
while we can achieve a great deal, you can’t have it all at once– the point
here is to reasonably pace yourself.
It's important to honestly assess yourself and your personal and
physical limitations. Also, do you have the ability and commitment to make your
dream come true? For example, you may
love to play tennis, but do you have the time, ability, talent and commitment
to become a pro? So be honest with yourself.
Time Framed (and
Tested): Goals need to have a specific time frame. Having a set amount of
time will give your goals structure. For example, many of us want to find a new
job or start their own business. Some people spend a lot of time talking about
what they want to do, someday. But, without a specific goal and date there is
no sense of urgency, no reason to take any action today. Having a specific time
frame gives you the motivation to start today.
It also helps you monitor your progress during the process.
I devised a quick and simple 2014 Personal Goal Setting
Exercise . . . .
1- Write down your ‘magical’
and memorable moments for the past year.
Identify those moments that will live with you the rest of your
life. It may be something simple as
having a ‘belly laugh’ with an old friend.
For example, seeing your newborn grandson or granddaughter for the first
time. It might be getting that promotion
you worked so hard the past 5
years. ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2- So what didn’t
work in 2012? Now this is a tough
one. What will you do differently? What will you NEVER do again? What do you need to change? ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3- So what are you
committed to changing this year? This is
a tough one. You need to get very
specific and detailed- remember these must be S.M.A.R.T. goals. The bigger the goal, the more commitment and
measurement needs to take place. So,
break these goals into smaller manageable goals, or KPI’s (Key Performance
Indicators). But also clearly identify
the consequences if you don’t achieve your goal and ultimate cost in your
life? Put these goals in front of your
‘nose’, so they are seen on a daily basis.
One client puts the S.M.A.R.T. goals above the bathroom toilet, so they
are seen each and every day. ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4- Set up a Daily
Ritual. An example of a Daily Ritual is,
“When I wake up every morning, the first thing I will do is go for a 45 minute
run”. Another might be, “I set 5 hours
every weekend that I can read one book per week”. What you need to do is clearly identify what
you need to change, and make the change.
Changes start with Your Daily Ritual.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5- Make a list of
every person that you will share your S.M.A.R.T. goals with, including key
persons within your organization, your spouse or partner, your friends, and
your Business Mentor. Keep in mind that
your ’accountability partner’ will agree to hold you to the goal, and ask that
you supply regular accountability, and also keep you accountable to making the
necessary changes in your life or business to attain these S.M.A.R.T. goals
______________________________________________________________________
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