age is really just a number

Goal setting is the number one way I have achieved my dreams in hyperdrive. Seriously, without goal setting, I know I would not be as fit, healthy, happy, life-balanced and financially secure. Goal setting is important in all aspects of your life including personal, professional, financial, health, and spiritual. But how do we set good goals and even come close to achieving them?

Glad you asked. You have probably heard about SMART goals. The concept has been around since the early 1980’s. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. I add to this theory that they also need to be written down and reviewed often!

Here is an example of a smart goal on steroids: I will lose 25 pounds in 3 months, at a rate of 2 pounds a week, by cleaning up my habits and eating a more paleo diet. I will meal plan weekly and make myself accountable to my friends.

Goal achievement hacks:

1. Be as specific as you can and use the SMART outline.
2. Write them down and put them in a place you will look at them at least 3 times a day.
3. Make a plan with definitive steps on how you are going to achieve them with a timeline for achievement; update weekly or daily.
4. Blast your intentions to the universe. Meaning post your goals and ask your friends to help. Share with your tribe or get an accountability partner.
5. Make some interim goals to encourage you along the way.
6. Meditate and visualize on how it looks and feels to achieve your goals.
7. Reward yourself and celebrate when you reach them.
8. Start over with a new loftier goal!

One of my favorite quotes about goals is from Greg Reid, “A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down in steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” 

I never start training for a race without the end in mind (finishing, PR, not dying, etc.) and without a training plan. I research the course, the usual weather on race day and any other pertinent race tips that have been posted. Then I assess my strengths and weakness as they pertain to the goal at hand, and make a detailed plan. That being said, I have a day job (that whole doctor thing); so, plans are made to be changed, morphed and totally blown up when necessary. Go with the flow but keep the finish line in mind. In the end, it’s all about the finish line!

Us  this race analogy when you are reaching for your goals, no matter their context. Life is an ultramarathon, not a sprint. And we get there one mile at a time! Like I tell my kids: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!”

Happy Goal Setting and Achieving! Take it day by day. Results never come overnight. The race is often not to the swift, but to those who keep on running! Go YOU!