Experts who study the way people make changes in their lives have found that setting goals is one of the most important keys to success.
| When setting goals, try to stick to the SMART acronym, some examples of which are: |
Now that you know how your goals should be designed why not complete the following task:
1. Write down 3 long-term goals - what you would like to happen in 1-2 years
2. Rank each one in order of importance where A= Most and C= Least important
3. Start with A - write down 3 goals that you hope to achieve in the next month
4. Rank each of these in importance so you have A1-A3, B1-B3 and C1-C3
5. Next write down 3 goals that will help you achieve A1 in the next week
| For example: In the next year I want to:
A) make 10 new friends
B) lose 1 stone in weight
C) improve my self-confidence To help me achieve the most important goal A of making new friends in the next month I will: A1) start exercise classes
A2) join a health club
A3) enrol in evening classes To help me start a new exercise class (Goal A1) in the next week I will: A1) make an appointment to ask my GP about Exercise on Prescription, find some suitable exercise clothes and shoes, and buy a water bottle. |
With this pyramid system of setting goals it is possible to build up to climbing Mount Everest if thats what you want.
Another important benefit of achieving goals is observable when you try other new activities. The confidence gained from achieving one goal is quickly and simply transferred to the next one. This means that learning to swim quickly means that not only can you go on a cruise or sailing holiday with confidence, but that you would be able to tackle a walking tour along the Great Wall of China - because now you know you can do whatever you want simply by setting the right goals for yourself.
More motivating factors
You are bound to make new friends at an exercise class. The opportunity to get together and meet new people is a strong motivating factor. Not letting others down and missing out on the get-together after class can become much more important to you than weight loss or lowered blood pressure!
Exercising to music can create an atmosphere of fun. It is easier to keep up with the movements. It improves coordination and perhaps most importantly you will feel as if less effort is required, yet you will still be gaining as many benefits.
Obvious motives include the feelings of empowerment, enhanced control over your life, improved health status, and general well-being
It is easy to monitor progress and this can act as a strong motivator. However, this can also work in reverse if you are solely motivated by tangible achievements. Try simple things such as adding up activity time at the end of each day and keeping a diary, or better still a chart - which you should place somewhere obvious. The value of monitoring your success is that you quickly begin to see changes in your physical activity patterns and realise that any relapses or dips are only temporary.
How can you remind yourself of the many opportunities in your environment to be more physically active?
Using new equipment provides an opportunity for learning skills and this can keep levels of interest high. For example, if you are keen on modern technology or are a silver surfer why not consider using any of the novel gadgets on the market.
Other areas include receiving daily health-text messages on your mobile phone and emails on your computer. Use the Internet to research health issues and new activities. This may also be an ideal way to learn more new skills and keep your levels of interest and motivation high, so preventing relapse.
02/06/2009