Everyone wants something and has that ideal picture in their head of where they want to go and who they want to be. This applies to all faucets of life and every path you pursue, although this blog tends to specifically focus on health. However, health is a wellness and a coordination of the mind, body, and spirit- and that encompasses all of your needs and desires that you will shoot for in your life.
Every endeavor you take and every desire you feel for something you want leads you on a path that is apart of your life journey, but sometimes it is not enough to just have desires or thoughts about something you want or a person you would like to be. It is not, and never will be, enough to wish it. I believe you get what you work for- whether that be an A on your paper or a new level of intensity or accomplishment in the gym. If you are feeling stuck or on a plateau, a little guidance and a lot of discipline could do the trick.
I'm talking about goal setting. Setting goals in every aspect of your life pertaining to the overlapping pillars of health is essential and a major key to actually getting where you want to be without just hoping for an outcome you may not have earned. There isn't much of a point to hard work or repetition if it isn't guided by a planned and calculated goal with a planned and calculated end result.
Goals come in all sizes and levels of intensity with varying time commitments and expectations. They don't have to be big dramatic goals, but rather smaller more realistic ones that might eventually compile and push you closer to the outer reaches of your ultimate goals and success realm.
It really is an entirely personal and empowering process to put time into thinking about what you want for yourself and how you are going to make that happen. It is about your future and your needs, and how you will motivate yourself for this ideal reality. While it may be a little scary and a little daunting to suppress the parts of you that feel you need to be something or look like something because it is what other people told you that you should do, it is your journey after all.
By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You know yourself better than anyone, and so you'll know which parts of the plan will be of trouble for you or where you might get distracted and led astray. One of the biggest ways to stick to a goal is to write it down and write it everywhere. Keep a journal or a sheet of paper that is your personal drawing board for your life. Write down your goals, no matter how small or lofty, and hold yourself accountable. Put them everywhere you might see them, and keep in mind what motivates you so you know what to do when you are tempted to stray.
Writing them down holds you accountable, and that is sometimes the biggest stepping stone to bring you off of your life on the plateau. I can attest to the efficiency and the power of the writing method with a little anecdote into a personal experience with it.
When I was in the 8th grade, my life revolved around USA swimming. I spent 6 days a week training in and out of the pool, and that was really it. I wouldn't go to dances or things with my friends on friday nights because I was so consumed with swimming and a goal I needed to achieve that year that I never wanted to miss a chance to work towards it. I know the world of swimming isn't relatable or comprehendible to most people, but what I needed was a qualifying time to USA Junior Olympics in my event- something that I was just shy of the year before and was devastated by it. I came back this particular season with a mission, and to make that happen for me I put the time I needed everywhere. I still remember the time. 1:14.90. I had sheets printed out with it and hung them in my bedroom, on the bathroom mirror, and in the clear plastic slip of my binder cover to stare back at me every time I took it out at school. It kept me focused, accountable, and doing what needed to be done to get there. When I finally went under the time I needed, it was that much sweeter because I looked back on the fact that I set a goal, took the steps, and met success.
While that may sound a little extreme, it worked for me and still does. I find writing down goals to be paramount for success, even as small as turning in homework on time. Another technique to help could be to tell a friend you trust or on a similar path as you. Have them keep you honest and accountable, and use them as your walking talking goal journal. Whether it be working out or doing homework, it's usually more enjoyable with a friend for the occasional laugh admits the work you're putting in.
So, I leave you with this- think long about what you want and then figure out what it's going to take. Anything worth having usually won't come easy, but it makes it all the more worth it when you finally meet that mark and push past the plateau. Make your journey worthwhile and concentrate your hard work into something tangible and meaningful that you can feel the overwhelming joys of getting there.
