What are you aiming at? – Zig Ziglar once said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” And each of us knows from our own experience that he is right. The general flow of human life tends to be toward ease and comfort. One day flows into the next, and many of us never quite get around to turning our good intentions into reality.
Those ‘good intentions,’ while no doubt admirable, tend to remain unrealised mainly because they are too vague. Vague ideas are impossible to focus on and aim for; they are moving targets.
Now more than ever, when confined to your home through this period of self-isolation, we need to have a focus, a structure, and goals so that we can gain that sense of achievement.
Do you have moving targets in your life? Perhaps now with this period of confinement and uncertainty you want to eat a more healthy diet or lose the weight that has crept upon you. Maybe you just want to establish a regular workout routine and stick with it this time.
The keys to your success are two-fold: steady the target and create momentum.
How to stop a moving target
Imagine a target shooter trying to hit a small bull’s eye on a distant target. He begins to aim, but then the target suddenly moves to the right, and before he can position himself to aim again, the target darts to the left. Will he ever hit that target? Not likely.
Without setting specific goals, your good intentions are exactly like that moving target. You would like to lose some weight, feel a little better, make a change in your diet–but without clearly defined goals and methods, you can’t focus and make it happen.
The way to steady the target so you can finally hit the bull’s eye is to define your goalsand write them down:
· How much weight do you want to lose?
· What kind of changes do you want to make in your diet?
· How many days per week do you want to exercise?
· Which article of clothing do you wish would fit your body again?
· How much weight would you like to lift while strength training?
Once you know where you want to end up, you are much more likely to get there. But you have to start moving toward your goals. That is where momentum comes in.
Create momentum to reach your goals
Sometimes, the hardest part of reaching a goal is just getting started. That first day of doing things differently or the first experience of bypassing an unhealthy treat in favour of a food that will give you more energy can be daunting. It isn’t easy and it certainly isn’t fun.
So how do you get that momentum? How do you start moving? Accountability is the answer. Having someone else involved in your efforts can be the most important factor in your success.
It is hard to change lifelong habits on your own. You need radical motivation that comes from involving others in your efforts. Setting deadlines, making commitments and entering contests all provide an external motivation that will carry you through even the toughest temptations.
And once you get started, you will find that the momentum principle kicks in and it becomes easier and easier to keep going.
Start NOW
You can make that moving target come to a screeching halt and blast the bull’s eye right out of it by taking a few minutes to write down what you want. Don’t make it your goals too broad; be specific. And then begin brainstorming ways to get others involved with you; that will provide your momentum. Success is within your reach. You can do this!
Oh, and remember, we’re here to help you the entire way!
Chris
Here’s Sarah’s story:
I joined Body Complete because I wanted to lose weight and do a bit more exercise. My weight had been gradually creeping up and I was horrified to find myself a size 16. I was really nervous about being fit enough to do the classes, however Chris and Zoe put me at ease straight away. There was no pressure to join and I had the chance to go to a few classes first, to make sure it was right for me. The other gym members were really friendly and welcoming, and it was reassuring that there people of all different ages, sizes and abilities. I can honestly say I haven’t looked back since joining. I have lost the weight I wanted to and am so much fitter and stronger. I attended regular classes, which are varied, so you don’t become bored and you work on your all-round fitness. Chris is a great coach and constantly keeps you motivated by helping you to identify your weaknesses and set new targets in regular accountability sessions. He, Zoe and Jon have created a real sense of community within the gym, and even though the classes are hard work, there is always an element of fun and I really look forward to going.
Sarah went onto win Client of the Year 2019 because she stuck to the goals she set herself and to her personal commitment to lose weight, whilst toning up at the same time.