The WHY? The real reason your not achieving your goals and steps to create long term change.

Whats your desired outcome?

Before anyone makes the steps to change in any area of life there must first be a initial goal, this goal is the main driver for the want to change. Without a specific measurable goal behind your actions the likelihood of success is very low. The main driver behind your actions are what will keep you motivated and drive you to create habits that align your current lifestyle and your desired outcome.

Normally when you are asked to think of your goal you may fling off a few predictable and vague thoughts. The likes of “I want to lose weight” & “I want to feel more healthy” are a few that i come across regularly in my line of work as a personal trainer. However to create a true goal that is strong enough to support and motivate you though the inevitable hard times that are ahead on your journey of change then you must look and think a little deeper.

The “WHY?”

The why is the true question you need to ask yourself over and over again, this doesn’t have to be something you discuss with others or post about on social media. This is the true main driver for your want to change. Why do you want to lose weight? Is it from past experiences of low body confidence issues, if so, is this the true goal. Or is increased confidence the main driver success? Why do you want to feel healthier? What does that look and feel like? Are you afraid of health complications or a potentially reduced life span with your current life choices? These are the true drivers that you can lean on in times of struggle and challenge to ensure you remain on track and motivated to make long term changes in your life. Don’t rush this process, really take your time and think of your why?

Be SMART.

Once you have this goal & main driver nailed down. Its time to break it down. If you have a long journey ahead (which if you did the above section correctly you probably do) or a long term goal it can sometimes seem impossible or too much to even comprehend. This can be a road block before you even begin, we therefore need to break this down. You can break this down into smaller more manageable chunks by creating monthly, weekly and daily targets that can help you can get closer to your end goal. These goals can be 1, 2 or more goals that cover both your personal and professional life. It is important that these goals are SMART goals. SMART goals are:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-bound

Link your smaller goal to each one of the above words. Make your goal specific with as much detail as possible. Make it measurable, how will you know if you are reaching the goal or not? Is it achievable? Within your lifestyle is this goal achievable. If not you may need to revisit it. Relevant, does this goal align with your why? If this goal does not support your long term end goal, then are you going to stick to it when times get tough? Probably not...

Time-bound, make an end date. If this is 1 month, 6 months, 12 months? This will be different depending on the goal itself. Be honest but also challenge yourself here.

Accountability is key!

This is the last step in successful long term goal setting. Yippee i hear you say. Not so quick, this is possibly the most important part. Keeping yourself accountable to YOU! While friends, family, even a personal trainer can provide you with a certain amount of accountability, if you don’t have a way to be accountable to yourself, with an accountability reminder in your phone each day, a accountability diary that you write in each morning or night. Whatever works for you, when creating these daily challenges or focuses the need to be small wins. This might be as simple as eating breakfast each day if this sets you up with a good mindset and reduces your snacking mid morning at work or consuming an extra glass of water everyday to keep you hydrated and satiated. Whatever these are, they stay in your accountability calendar or process until they become a habit. Once a habit is set and you are doing this without thinking. Then replace these daily focuses with new ones that support you in taking steps closer and closer to your SMART & therefore your end goal!

So there you go. The guide to successful goal setting for any area of life. “A goal without a plan is just a wish” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Don’t forget to check back each week for my weekly blog post and follow me on instagram @harryhfitness for daily content.