Goals: How to Set Them, How to Meet Them

Goals are something I always have and always strive towards. It gives you something in the future to work on, to make yourself proud. I have both short term and long term goals as it makes you feel great when you reach the short term ones and makes you feel as if the long term ones are even more achievable.

I think that the benefits of having targets to reach totally outweigh the disadvantages. In fact I can't think of any disadvantages - other than the time it takes to think them up, which is minimal let's be honest!

For example, knowing you've got a 5k at the end of the month (which I do...eek!) is motivation to get your butt out of the door and work towards your best time ever - is it not?

Knowing that summer is really not that far away now (thank God!) makes you want to get in the gym and get toned ready to show of all those bikini's you've bought in anticipation.

Set goals, see results.

Yes this blog is going to feature lots of bikinis. I'm excited so shoot me =P

How to Set

How to set goals is somewhat more of a challenge. (See my previous post, Be a SMART SWOT) I think the key thing is they have to be realistic. So it would be very unrealistic to set yourself the goal of using 50lbs in a month. Or to go from a size 12 o a size 6 in six weeks. Slow and steady targets help get results. If you set yourself an unrealistic and then don't get it - you'll be heartbroken, demotivated and ready to give up - trust me, I've been there.

Give yourself little challenges. I like the idea of six week, six month and yearly goals. I also like the idea of 'By the end of the month I'd like to achieve....' They don't even have to be fitness related. One of my goals for the next six weeks is to do something good and beneficial around the house every day. Just to help my family out. Another key idea is have your goals set to a time. If you've got a target date (your cousin's wedding on the 26th June or Prom on July 6th or your vacation on August 12th etc) you know exactly when you need to be ready by and the chances are you need to be ready a week before that because you'll be too excited on the week leading up to it!

How to Meet

Be opportunistic. Best friend doing a charity fun run in your area? Do it with her! Not only will you feel good as it's for charity but you will then be able to spend more time with your BFF and work on your fitness as well. Grab every opportunity you are handed because 95% of the time you only regret things that you don't do.

Plan for your threats. I live by the 6 P's - prior preparation and planning prevents poor performance. Know that you're headed to the Cheesecake Factory for a friend's birthday dinner next week? Make sure you get great workouts in to compensate and most importantly DON'T STRESS! You're not going to have a perfect day every day for the rest of your life so don't worry. Cut your losses, move on and make tomorrow even better. A bad day is not the cause of a bad week-  it's a bad attitude that will do it. If you plan for these 'threats' in advance you can either compensate for them or plan to avoid them! (Totally not suggesting you ditch your friend's birthday dinner haha; I mean you can research the menu and calorie count etc in advance) 

Finally....work your little behind off because good things come to those who sweat. 

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you in your bikinis!

Georgie <3