"You are a warrior, you are strong, and sharks are not real."
First, read this...
I love this story from America Ferrera. It shows that no matter how successful someone looks on the outside, how well they've done, how far they've come, we all have that voice in our heads which tells us we're not capable, not worthy, not deserving... self-doubt can consume us, if we let it.
Setting ourselves goals and challenges can make all the difference to this. in the New York Times article, America tells of how she was able to overcome the demons she felt were holding her back in her career, in rising to the challenge of a triathlon.
Goal Setting
Typically, January is the time of year for goal-setting and, it's around about now that we start flirting what those goals will be... but there's a reason that most new year's resolutions fail. It's because they're not real goals. We set arbitrary goals like 'lose weight' or 'get fitter' which are essentially meaningless because the real goal is the 'why'; without knowing what the final outcome is, we get lost on the journey and never really achieve it. It's like setting off on a road trip without knowing the final destination.
So let's change the record and avoid another failed set of new year's resolutions...
Pick a real, tangible, achievable goal now.
What do you want to actually achieve? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it so you can run through the park with your little one without getting out of breath? Is it because you watch with envy as your friends take on new challenges and you'd just love to run 5k, 10k, marathons, ultras...? Is it because you want to put that dress on that's hanging in the back of your wardrobe that you absolutely love but haven't been able to wear since...?
It doesn't matter how big or small that goal is, what matters is that you have a reason to reach it; that your goal is your why, not your what. America wanted to silence the voice of doubt in her mind but her goal was to complete a triathlon; in doing so, she achieved far more than she expected.
Your challenge:
Set yourself a goal now. If you've been thinking you'll start losing weight when January comes around or you'll join that fitness class you're been considering sit down NOW and think about what your why is.
Write it down.
Then write the answers to these questions:
- Why do you want to do this?
- What will be different when you have achieved this?
- What will that feel like?
- On what date will you achieve this?
Be as specific and as honest as you can.
Now you've a real goal, you can start planning how you're going to achieve it.
And start now.
Yes, Christmas is looming but there are small things you can do now so you're ready to kick things up a gear when Christmas is out of the way.
Still concerned you might wimp out on this?
Tell someone else. Telling people what we're up to makes us more accountable to achieving the outcome so confide in someone you trust or, better still, get them involved too!
Join us
Check out this free workshop in Manchester for more on how you can make your goals a reality: New Year's Resolution? - New You Revolution