:: Morning Motivator ::: Morning Motivator

"Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now"
~ Alan Lakein

Can you believe its December 27th already? The year has really blown by and I wonder – how many goals have been accomplished? I have a few that are remaining and I plan to knock out this weekend (very proactive, right?). The better question may be – how many goals will NOT be accomplished, simply because they were never planned for?

We all make resolutions. We all "commit" to becoming a better person – I will lose weight. I will make more money. I will spend more time with my family. Sound familiar? Its last until what… January 13th? Why? EASY ANSWER – you never planned the steps to be successful in those commitments! If you do not have a specific plan of action with details and measurements – then you have just voiced your imagination. Take ACTION! Formulate a SUCCESS plan! Define SPECIFIC actions and measurements! Give yourself a TIME FRAME to achieve! Define your REWARD! (Sounds S.M.A.R.T. again, huh?)

SUCCESS STEP: (this will sounds familiar… and yes ITS THAT IMPORTANT!)

A COMMON goal is: I want to get in shape. A SMART goal is best achieved when defined and made very specific with accountabilities in place. Follow the below S.M.A.R.T. strategy to make sure you are on point with your GOALS.

1. Specific – make sure your goal is defined in a specific manner (ex. I WILL run at Percy Warner Park)

2. Measurable – ensure accomplishment by defining a measurement (I will run 12 miles within 3 hours – 12 miles and 3 hours give 2. the goal structure)

3. Achievable – Make sure you are able to achieve the goal (if you know 12 miles will take 3 hours to run and you only have 2 hours to run – your goal may not be achievable and needs further evaluation)

4. Realistic – Ensure your goal is realistic (if you have not run in 8 months, running 12 miles your first time out may not be realistically achieved)

5. Time Bound – Set a time frame for SUCCESS and determine WHEN you will accomplish it by (ex. I WILL run 12 miles Tuesday afternoon from 5-8pm)

** Your NEW goal now looks like this – I WILL run 12 miles within 3 hours at Percy Warner Park on Tuesday from 5pm – 8pm. **

It will be very EASY to know if you accomplish this or not... welcome to accountability! Now DEFINE YOUR GOALS and take OWNERSHIP of the FUTURE you are entitled to!!

Cheers,
Zach