Sticking to Your Goals
Having a plan makes it more likely you'll get what you want
by Raeann McCarty | 19 April 2021
Grab a notebook - Let’s evaluate what happened to previous diets and workout plans and any other goals that were thrown on the backburner of your life up til now.
Make a list of each of these goals you once had and all the many ways you tried to reach them. Go on. Put it down on paper (or on the computer). I know, I know. It’s painful to think about. But trust us. The temporary discomfort of looking at previous failed attempts will help uncover one or more issues that you hadn’t previously realized were sabotaging your efforts to achieve more.
Make a list of each of these goals you once had and all the many ways you tried to reach them. Go on. Put it down on paper (or on the computer). I know, I know. It’s painful to think about. But trust us. The temporary discomfort of looking at previous failed attempts will help uncover one or more issues that you hadn’t previously realized were sabotaging your efforts to achieve more.
Our goal at McCartyFit is to help YOU build a more fit and healthy YOU
and our unique style of Friendly Fitness Help is how we do it!
and our unique style of Friendly Fitness Help is how we do it!
Questions to ask yourself about previous goals
Identify Barriers
Once you’ve asked yourselves these questions, you’ll begin to see patterns that have consistently returned to your life every time you’ve tried to reach a new health and wellness goal.
When we try to reach a goal we've failed out in the past, we like to put those mistakes behind us and just look forward. But it's important to learn from our mistakes in order to move forward, to look at what keeps tripping us up so we don't step there again and helps us develop a plan to overcome those obstacles.
- How long did your previous attempts last?
- What events caused you to slip up initially, and then what were the events that led you to abandon the idea all together?
- What were you trying to achieve, the reasons, the “Why” for setting the goal(s)?
- Why were each of these goals important to you?
Identify Barriers
Once you’ve asked yourselves these questions, you’ll begin to see patterns that have consistently returned to your life every time you’ve tried to reach a new health and wellness goal.
When we try to reach a goal we've failed out in the past, we like to put those mistakes behind us and just look forward. But it's important to learn from our mistakes in order to move forward, to look at what keeps tripping us up so we don't step there again and helps us develop a plan to overcome those obstacles.
Positive Results Begets Increased Commitment
Everything is easier when you have a team of support. We are social creatures. So it’s natural that we will be more likely to succeed if we have people joining us and cheering us on. The hardest part will be starting. It will take a little bit more conscious effort in the beginning but will eventually become a subconscious behavior.
Put that extra effort in during the beginning. Be proud of those little steps at the start. Little changes add up to big results. Those little things aren't easy at first. But we promise that they will eventually become easy. You got this!
But by far the best part of all this positive progress is that it ignites our desire to keep going and get even more positive results. Success leads to more success. Celebrate each tiny victory because before long you'll be at the top of a huge win.
Put that extra effort in during the beginning. Be proud of those little steps at the start. Little changes add up to big results. Those little things aren't easy at first. But we promise that they will eventually become easy. You got this!
But by far the best part of all this positive progress is that it ignites our desire to keep going and get even more positive results. Success leads to more success. Celebrate each tiny victory because before long you'll be at the top of a huge win.
Make a Plan
Start with a simple and easy change. Just one.
Get a win with that one easy change and pick another.
Build from these small goals to create momentum, leading to reaching those big goals. Be proud of every step that you take, no matter how small. Change is hard!
Don’t compare your progress to others. We are all on our own journeys with different goals, barriers, and circumstances.
Listen to your mind and body when choosing rest periods. Don’t ignore signals.
Accept potential failure and have a plan prepared for when you relapse.
To change, you must face your true emotions, creating awareness of your subconscious thoughts that are stressful to think about. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses during this planning.
To make real change, you must know your purpose. Write this down.
Next, write down 3 motivators.
What is it that drives you to be your best self?
Remind yourself of your purpose and motivators each day. Place it where it will be easily visible to you, so you can’t miss it.
Get a win with that one easy change and pick another.
Build from these small goals to create momentum, leading to reaching those big goals. Be proud of every step that you take, no matter how small. Change is hard!
Don’t compare your progress to others. We are all on our own journeys with different goals, barriers, and circumstances.
Listen to your mind and body when choosing rest periods. Don’t ignore signals.
Accept potential failure and have a plan prepared for when you relapse.
To change, you must face your true emotions, creating awareness of your subconscious thoughts that are stressful to think about. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses during this planning.
To make real change, you must know your purpose. Write this down.
Next, write down 3 motivators.
What is it that drives you to be your best self?
Remind yourself of your purpose and motivators each day. Place it where it will be easily visible to you, so you can’t miss it.
Let's practice by establishing some goals for your week!
Week dates: ___ / ___ - ___ / ___
Mindset Goal (examples...journaling, meditation)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fun Goal (Take time to do something that you enjoy. examples...movie, painting, learning a new skill)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Physical Activity Goal (Any type of exercise that you are mentally prepared for at the moment. examples...walking, boxing, weightlifting, stretch, yoga)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nutrition Goal (example.. adding a vegetable to dinner, cutting out soda)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sleep Goal (example...waking up at a consistent time, achieving 7 hours of sleep every night)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fun Goal (Take time to do something that you enjoy. examples...movie, painting, learning a new skill)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Physical Activity Goal (Any type of exercise that you are mentally prepared for at the moment. examples...walking, boxing, weightlifting, stretch, yoga)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nutrition Goal (example.. adding a vegetable to dinner, cutting out soda)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sleep Goal (example...waking up at a consistent time, achieving 7 hours of sleep every night)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
