Setting goals sounds simple enough, right? You set some big targets and then go after them. What’s the catch? The issue is that many of us don’t actually achieve our goals. It’s time to take goal setting more seriously, and here’s how, according to Matt Fellows, the director of Iron Works Elite Fitness.
In March 2009, when I weighed 175 lbs, I aimed to gain significant muscle and reach a lean 200 lbs by the end of the year. Looking back, I can see two main problems with that goal.
The first problem was that it was set about nine months away, like saying, “I’m going to climb a mountain,” without specifying the trailhead, rations, or strategies for dealing with obstacles. In exercise terms, I had no workout plan, diet, or strategies for overcoming plateaus. In essence, I had no plan.
When trying to achieve a goal, having a plan is crucial. Breaking down your goal into manageable steps, such as what you aim to accomplish this month or week and how you’ll do it, can make a big difference. The saying “the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time” applies here. Breaking down the goal from 200 lbs by year-end to 180 lbs by next month makes the overall target more achievable. Similarly, aiming to add 10 lbs to a lift each month rather than focusing on a 100 lbs increase for the year makes the goal more attainable.
The second issue was not considering what I could realistically achieve. Gaining 25 lbs in nine months was possible, but staying lean while doing so was unlikely. Reaching the end of the year without hitting my target weight could have been discouraging.
There are different ways to react in such situations, which is a topic for another day. However, it’s likely that watching my progress slow down or losing muscle definition would have led to discouragement.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a good starting point. With the New Year approaching, it’s a great time to set new goals and make the upcoming year your best yet. But how do you actually reach those goals?
The difference between setting goals and achieving them is consistency. If I’m not consistently working towards a goal, I won’t get closer to it. The human body is constantly changing. If you’re not pushing it towards excellence, it will gradually drift away from it. If I’m not consistently working towards my goals, my body won’t become what I want it to be.
After getting married, as wonderful as matrimony is, it was a major adjustment in my life. Before the wedding, I was a lean 175 lbs, but four months later, I was a softer 165 lbs. This change happened quickly because I let my routines get disrupted, losing my consistency in training and diet.
We become what we do consistently. If we aim for excellence regularly, we will achieve excellence. If our efforts are inconsistent, the results will be too. Consistency is key when it comes to setting and attaining goals.
Be excellent by being consistent.
