Let me preface this by saying, what you are about to read is not a new idea or concept that I came up on goal setting. It is simply what I have observed and read from successful people in life. They have used all of these concepts to help them successfully reach their goals.
Let’s start off by defining the word “goal”. John C. Maxwell defines it perfectly: “Goals are the impetus of success. Goals give us direction, target and destination.” Let’s take a moment to breaking that down.
What the heck does impetus mean? Impetus is “the force that makes something happen or happen more quickly.”
What does direction mean? Direction is “the management or guidance of someone or something.”
What does target mean? Target is “an objective or result toward which efforts are directed.”
What does destination mean? Destination comes from the Latin word destinare, meaning “determine, appoint, choose, make firm or fast.”
So in other words, Goals are the force that makes something happen more quickly. Goals give us the management and guidance, the objective we direct our efforts towards and the determination of where we go.
That’s a really cute quote, Nick, but how do I properly set a goal? Oh, well I am really glad that you asked! You are going to need to do the following baby steps in order to properly set your goals.
Baby Step #1 – Make your goals specific. Your goals need to identify exactly what you want to accomplish in as much detail as possible.
Bad example: I want to lose weight.
Good example: I want to lose 15 pounds by the end of January before I go on vacation with my family.
Baby Step #2 – Make your goals measurable. How can you track your progress and know that you’ve reached your goal?
Bad example: Increase my power clean.
Good example: Increase my power clean by 25 pounds.
Baby Step #3 – Make your goals attainable. Be real with yourself – is qualifying for the 2018 CrossFit Regionals realistic for you when you come into the box one day a week? Maybe a more realistic goal would be to start getting into the gym three days a week with an end goal to participating in the 2018 Granite Games. My point being, it should stretch you out of your comfort zone, but you need to be realistic with yourself.
Baby Step #4 – Make your goal actionable. Use action verbs to start your goal.
Bad example: Be better at running.
Good example: Improve my running, so that I can run a sub 8 minute mile.
Baby Step #5 – Give your goal a deadline. Every successful goal setter needs to know when they are going to accomplish their goal by. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a sense of urgency.
Bad example: Completed 50 unbroken double-unders.
Good example: Completed 50 unbroken double-unders by December 31st, 2018.
Baby Step #6 – Write your goals down and review them often. Statistics show that you are highly more likely to hit your goals when you actually have them written down somewhere.
January 1st is going to be here before you know it. Everyone has that “one” goal that has never been acted upon. You set it every year and nothing changes. Why not change that this year?
I challenge you to do something different this year. This doesn’t just apply to CrossFit, this is how you can succeed and set goals in all areas of your life: Health Goals, Money Goals, Family Goals, Career Goals, Spiritual Goals, Reading Goals and so many more.
Any one of your CrossFit Osiris coaches would be MORE THEN WILLING to sit down with you to help you get some 2018 goals down on paper.
Here is to your future success!
Coach Nick