Goal setting might seem straightforward – just set big goals and go for them. But many of us struggle to actually achieve these goals. It’s time to take goal setting seriously, and here’s how to do it, according to Matt Fellows from Iron Works Elite Fitness.

Back in March 2009, I was 175 lbs and set a goal to bulk up to a lean 200 lbs by the end of the year. Looking back, I see two main issues with that goal.

First, setting a goal for nine months out is like planning to climb a mountain without figuring out which trail to take, what supplies to bring, or how to manage obstacles along the way. In fitness terms, I lacked a workout plan, diet strategy, and ideas for overcoming plateaus. Essentially, I had no clear plan.

To maximize our efforts, it’s crucial to break goals into smaller, manageable steps. For instance, instead of aiming to weigh 200 lbs by the end of the year, focus on reaching 180 lbs by next month. Similarly, rather than trying to add 100 lbs to a lift this year, aim to add 10 lbs this month.

The second issue was not considering what I could realistically achieve. Gaining 25 lbs in nine months was possible, but not likely while staying lean. How would I feel if I only reached 190 lbs by year-end? Probably discouraged as I watched slow progress or lost muscle definition.

This is just a starting point. With the New Year approaching, it’s a great time to set and tackle your goals. But how do you actually achieve them?

The key difference between having goals and achieving them is consistency. If you’re not consistently working towards your goal, you won’t make progress. The human body isn’t static; if you’re not pushing it towards excellence, it will drift away from it.

After recently getting married, I experienced this first-hand. Before our wedding, I was a lean 175 lbs. Four months later, I dropped to a softer 165 lbs because my routines got disrupted. I lost my consistency in training and diet.

We become what we do. If we consistently strive for excellence, we will become excellent. If we only strive occasionally, we’ll only be sporadic. When it comes to setting and achieving goals, consistency is everything. Be excellent – be consistent.