Coming from the health and fitness field, I often can accurately predict whether or not someone will triumph in reaching their goals. Whether it is a physical therapy patient who says they will "try" to perform their rehab exercises or a weight-loss client who is going to "try" to stick to the diet, I generally can tell if the person's heart is really in it.

I frequently quote Yoda, the powerful Jedi Master from Star Wars, to my clients at Sensible Fitness: "Do or do not. There is no try." One of the first signs of eminent failure is when a person says, "I will try" or "I'll do my best." When you speak these words, you already have failed. You have given yourself an out. Upon failing, the oh-so-predictable words flow from the vocal chords: "Well, I tried." When a person has an unbreakable determination to attain their goal, "try" is never spoken. Instead you hear "I will" or "when I do."

If you look into the psychology of goal setting, you naturally will find a bunch of fancy terms like "self-regulatory competence." I won't mess with your head by using the psychological jargon, but instead I will use simple talk that us dummies can relate to. With that said, here are some things to keep in mind to triumph over your goals:

Goal specificity: Specific goals increase your "umph" because they give you a clearer picture of the effort required to succeed. They also increase the perception of your capabilities to succeed. General goals sometimes fail to do this.

Proximity: Often goals are identified by how far into the future they reach. Short-term goals are achieved more quickly, and you can maintain a strong focus and a higher motivation than long-term goals. Long-term goals should be broken down into a series of sub-goals!

Difficulty: If goals are too easy, they will not motivate you — and neither will goals that are believed to be impossible. Goals that are moderately difficult have the highest degree of success.

Self-Setting: Some research says that people stick to goals more often if they set them themselves, while other studies show that as long as the person accepts the legitimacy of the goal, they maintain an equal commitment. The important idea here is that you believe in your heart that your goal is legitimate.

Obstacles: Life will throw you curve balls, and you must have a plan B ready to implement to keep you moving forward. A classic example involves having an outdoor exercise program, which can be weather dependent. If what you are doing is not moving you toward your goal, then it is moving you away from success.

Evaluation: Gauge both your progress and your increasing capabilities. To maintain your focus and motivation, it is critical to see how your ever-so-small successes add up.

And lastly, remember again that triumph is "try" and "umph"! It will take work — lots of it. Without the work, there is no reward.

Doug Gibson
		About the author:
		Doug Gibson is a columnist for Cincy Chic and president of Sensible Fitness Personal Training Center in Blue Ash, Ohio, which specializes in women’s fitness programs. E-mail him at doug@sensiblefitness.com.
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Last update: 01-02-2010 08:12

Published in : Magazine Items, Health