I’ve been doing some presentations at work around health and fitness lately as part of a wellness program we’re rolling out. The theme of the first presentations has been around goals. I call it “Goal Setting and Goal Getting” because it’s not enough to set good goals – you have to actually achieve them for them to worth anything. The timing of the presentations – late February and early March (depending on location as I presented in person across our offices) – was purposeful as this coincides with the timing when people generally have failed at or given up on their New Years resolutions. Based on research I did, roughly half of people have failed at or walked away from their resolutions by the two month mark.
So what’s the secret sauce? Well, I helped talk about what makes for a good goal versus one you may be setting yourself up to fail at achieving. That matters – setting good goals is important. I went over a lot of the things I’ve talked about here and in my podcast before around having specific goals with measurable objectives and time frames defined so you can see how you’re doing, map out your actions and progress, and know when you’ve gotten to the finish line.The thing is, none of that really matters on its own. Yeah, I just said that good goals aren’t important. Well, not in and of themselves. What really matters is motivation. See, if you aren’t motivated and deeply committed to the purpose of your goal, no matter how well-designed the goal and tools you have to reach it are, you won’t get there. Or, you may get there, but you will likely fall back into old habits after you do get there. Don’t believe me? How many people yo-yo with their weight and commitment to exercise or eat better?
So the real focus of the presentation was around finding a source of motivation that will keep you in the game so you’re not relying on willpower or perseverance to get to the goal. And the great thing about true motivation is that it will endure beyond your achievement of your goal. So once you reach that weight you wanted to reach this year, you immediately keep at it and find a new target (maybe maintaining it, maybe losing more, maybe doing a race…whatever you want).
“The right motivation is something deep within you that is profound and will endure”-Me
I shared my motivation, and helped the group talk through their goals and motivations, but ultimately, this isn’t something I can do for you. No one can. The way to find the motivation is to truly, deeply understand yourself. You have to search within you to know yourself, what really motivates you, and what will drive you to your goal.
Knowing yourself at a very deep level and what truly motivates – and will keep motivating – you is the biggest and most profound step to enlighten.your.body.
GREAT POINT.
here?
the are just DREAMS WITH TIMELINES.
I definitely needed this today. Great post!
Thanks so much. Feedback like this makes my day!