OK, it’s been almost two months since you started the New Year full of optimism and good intentions to really follow through with those resolutions this time. How’s that working for you?
If just about everything you resolved to accomplish has fallen by the wayside, spring, the season of growth and renewal, is the perfect time to tackle your goals the right way.
First of all, you have to feel a passionate connection to your objective. Pick a specific goal that’s in alignment with your values, and you’re much more likely to see it through. Write down that goal – the act of putting it on paper, or keying it into your electronic device, affirms and focuses your intention.
The most effective goals are SMART – S pecific, M easurable, A ttainable, R elevant and T ime Bound.
If your goal is, “Get Healthier,” be very specific with what you desire to achieve. Lock in specific action steps, like, “Get up 20 minutes earlier to meditate every morning,” and, “Exercise at least 30 minutes every day.” The more specific you are, the easier it will be to stay on track.
By taking the time to set measurable goals right from the start, you’ll be able to monitor your progress in very real and tangible ways.
One tendency we have is to set completely unrealistic goals that are impossible to achieve. If you love to sink you teeth into a giant burger daily, chances are your desire to “Go Vegetarian Starting Today” is not going to happen. Instead, starting with one meatless day the first week, and gradually increasing the number of days every few weeks, gives you the opportunity to realistically and permanently change your behavior.
So now, let’s say you’ve strategically set SMART goals, you wrote down specific action steps, and you’re starting to see results. It’s time to celebrate!
While stopping to congratulate yourself on your progress might seem unnecessary or immature, it’s actually one of the best motivators. In her book, The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement and Creativity at Work , Harvard Professor Teresa Amabile, PhD, shares her research proving that marking minor achievements is the most effective way to inspire people to continue on track for achieving other objectives, both large and small.
Besides making business sense, celebration is also a spiritual discipline. Enjoying the fellowship of like-minded people, expressing gratitude for your achievements and sharing the fruits of your labors enrich your spiritual connections to everyone and everything in your life, and to God.
Learn how to set SMART goals for transforming your body, mind and spirit when you embark on a life-affirming visit to the Optimum Health Institute in San Diego or Austin, Texas. Our caring team can help you achieve your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual goals for optimal health. Visit our website at www.optimumhealth.org , and call us at (800) 993-4325 to make your reservation.
