TomCarlsbad asked me what other goals I had for the 100 Days Exercise Challenge were - other than just finishing!
My initial reaction was “What other goals? Isn’t just finishing goal enough?”
You see, I have never been a goal setter. The whole process always has seemed kind of alien and off-putting to me. I’m not completely clear why that is, but I am here to learn!
So I’m hoping that the rest of you will share the process you use, in whatever level of detail you desire.
I happen to have a pretty cool Dad who knows a ton about goal setting In past shows he’s discussed in detail how to realistically go about achieving those goals. I know you’re a newbie around here and probably didn’t hear it… so here’s a quick cheat sheet:
#1 Get a piece of paper
#2 Write exactly WHAT you want
#3 Write WHY you want it
#4 Imagine how you are going to feel when you reach your goal
#5 Plan it
#6 Measure it
#7 Be flexible
#8 Plan your celebration
For me, the biggest step is #4 - how can really strive toward a goal if you can’t imagine the specific feeling of the outcome? Also #7… that’s where I’m ever-learning. It teaches you to be creative, to come up with Plan B’s (and Plan C’s) on the spot.
I’m sure he’ll address goal setting again, as it is one of the most important predictors of success.
Thanks so much, Carlyn! This really helps me a lot.
I think #7 has always been my biggest challenge. My tendency has been to see things in black and white, and be a bit of a perfectionist. So if things didn’t quite work as I had planned, I would be likely to just throw the whole goal-setting process out the window.
So practicing being flexible with my goals will be a big key for me.
I’ve previously achieved the fitness and weight loss I’m striving for this time. If I don’t have a really solid goal planned out, as Carlyn as shown, it will all fall apart again. And I KNOW this because I’ve DONE this.
So, I’m off to grab a pen, paper, copy that list and do some good thinking!
As I read through Carlyn’s cheat sheet for setting goals, I was reminded of Denis Waitley’s Psychology of Winning audio presentation. It looks at 5 attitudes and 5 corresponding kinds of actions that those who succeed possess. The cheat sheet is very similar to core information in the audio. And, recently, it’s something I’ve found that you can download from the self-help area of iTunes to listen to on your iPod. I used the program 20 years ago to improve my outcomes at University, significantly.
Beyond this, there’s the matter of really creating the life you want and it is important to realize that our lives are multi-faceted. So, while we’re aiming toward a specific outcome in one arena, it’s possible that in getting there other arenas of our lives may flex or need adjustment - we can control these too (by setting goals for them and attaining what we set out for).
Anyway, if you’re turning into an iPod listener and/or an iPod learner, you may want to try downloading the Psychology of Winning ... and go for a walk or two. I’ve used it and it works ... it does take a few listenings to get it though. It’s life changing stuff ... but it’s good stuff.
I’ve been listening to Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles and must agree it is brilliant. Thanks so much for the recommendation, Tom and Julie. It has really caused me to take stock and I no longer feel like a train about to be derailed!
While I’ve been coming out of depression, I’ve found that baby steps have been the best for me. Not only baby steps, but pretty much fetus steps. I break down, let’s say doing the dishes, into making sure I have soap, getting a fresh cloth, and doing 5 or 10 dishes. After that, of course I feel like doing the rest. However, if I stop after that, it’s NOT a failure.
You can apply baby steps to pretty much anything. Have you been postponing getting a doctor’s appointment? For now, make sure you have the doctor’s phone number handy. If you don’t like talking to people, call after hours and leave a message. Whatever works for you.
As for exersize, I OFTEN use the ten minute rule. I’m going to go to the gym for 10 minutes. If at minute #10, I still want to go home, play computer games, eat pizza all night, whatever, then I leave. It’s not a failure if I try. And more often than not, I end up staying longer anyway.
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I listened to the Success Principles on audio book as well. VERY GOOD!
Meredith, sounds like you are really going somewhere. I’m a babystepper (with thanks to Flylady.net) myself and have also had nasty times where everything is too much. I love the 10 minute rule!
In past shows he’s discussed in detail how to realistically go about achieving those goals. I know you’re a newbie around here and probably didn’t hear it… so here’s a quick cheat sheet:
sheet for setting goals, I was reminded of Denis Waitley’s Psychology of Winning audio presentation. It looks at 5 attitudes and 5 corresponding kinds of actions that those who succeed possess. The cheat sheet is very similar to core information in the audio. And, recently, it’s something I’ve found 
that you can download from the self-help area of iTunes to listen to on your iPod. I used the program 20 years ago to improve my outcomes at University, significantly.
