Tools. A friend suggested recently that I might write about motivation, as this is the time of year when New Year Resolutions begin to falter and fail. As I sat to consider “tools”, the eighteenth Gable Trained Principle, I realized that our resolutions often fail because we lack the proper tools.
I am not a fan of New Year Resolutions. I prefer a deliberate plan for goal setting and to not limit these to a routine start-of-the-year action. Resolutions are often a “wish list” for personal development or accomplishment, and, thus, rarely make it beyond the starting gate. For goals—or resolutions—to be successful, one needs to have the proper tools.
When I think of New Year Resolutions, dieting is often the first to come to mind. So, as an example, let’s look at diet-related resolution, e.g., “I resolve to lose 20 pounds in 2018.” Seems reasonable. What can go wrong?
Many have heard that goals should be SMART. I like my friend Coyte Cooper’s twist (www.coytecooper.com; Make Your Mark). He writes that goals should be I-SMART—adding the “I” to the goal, making it personal—“I will….” In turn, I-SMART goals are Specific, Matter to the individual (i.e., are deeply personal), Applicable to one’s highest aspirations, not-Reasonable by normal expectations, and Time-bound. With these in mind we elevate the resolution and put in place the tools necessary to succeed.
Goals can be well written–“I resolve to lose 20 pounds in 2018” is not bad. The challenge comes once the pen is lifted from the paper. In the present example, the question remains: “HOW and I going to lose 20 pounds.” Well, with diet and exercise, of course. Yes, but what kind of diet and exercise? How will you remain accountable? How will you manage when the road gets tough? How will you handle setbacks? Additionally, what will you do once the weight is lost?? (I once lost 17 pound in 24 hours. I can lose 20 pounds in a flash, but…..) We need the right tools.
We need:
A support group.
Experienced help, i.e., “coaches”.
A plan.
A schedule.
The will—remember, it need to Matter.
A number of years ago, I came across these “Top 7 Exercise Motivation Secrets”* for a course I teach in Exercise Motivation and Adherence:
1. Find your “why”.
2. Make a commitment.
3. Set daily, measurable and realistic goals.
4. Keep track of your progress.
5. Get objective feedback.
6. Avoid the “all-or-nothing” mentality.
7. Be accountable!
More importantly, we cannot achieve anything in isolation. We need the support of other—to teach and inform us, to encourage us, to provide the occasional kick in the butt, and keep us from giving up. We can do a lot with a screwdriver, but a well-equipped toolbox prepares us for all jobs and helps the job get done right.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!
*http://www.topendsports.com/psychology/motivation-moving.htm