WHY this year will be different
WHY this year will be different...
This time of year there is no shortage of articles around goal setting, motivation, and resolutions. It’s no secret that people who have a plan of action on how to actually achieve the goal they set have a better chance of success than those who don’t. This is true in finance, personal development and of course fitness!
Most people set a blanket goal and leave it at that. “I’m going to get in shape this year.” “I’m going to eat healthy.” These general statements, though well intentioned, give no clear path to success. Those willing to go a bit further and THINK about how they will accomplish these goals not only make the goal more specific but put some daily action steps behind them. For instance they may say “I’m going to get in shape this year and lose 10 pounds by exercising for 30 minutes per day and by bringing a healthy lunch to work each day”. You can clearly see how person 2 will have a greater chance of success. They have some actionable, measurable steps and a definition of what success actually looks like.
When you look at the study of goal achievement however, one thing stands above the rest when it comes to success. That one thing is figuring out the WHY. WHY do you want to accomplish this goal? What is the true motivation? If you can really dig deep and find the WHY, the HOW becomes very clear and you will not lack the motivation to put in the work.
Let’s take our person above who started out just wanting to ‘get in shape’. Then they progressed and made the goal measurable and actionable. They are going to lose 10 pounds by exercising for 30 minutes per day and by bringing a healthy lunch to work each day. Now lets add the WHY. At first they may say they want to feel better. Perhaps they want to look better. Two good reasons but generally they will fade quickly. However, what if they said they wanted to accomplish this goal because they just became a grandparent and want to have the energy and vitality to keep up with their new grandson? That’s a powerful why!
The more powerful your WHY, the more likely you will be able to overcome the feelings of doubt that may set in while trying to achieve your goal. When laziness or procrastination rear their heads, you will remember your why and cast them aside. WHY is an extremely powerful force and one that can help you to crush your goals!
So think about the goals you set for yourself this year. Go back and attach a WHY, and then a HOW. This simple formula will start you down the path:
This year I want to XXXXXXXX.
WHY I want to accomplish this:
HOW I will accomplish this: (List 3 steps)
Once you achieve your goal, go back and do this again for your next goal. The momentum you will create will make you unstoppable! Best of luck and let’s make 2018 the year you truly change your life from the core!