Take a few minutes and think back 365 days ago to your 2013 New Year's Resolution(s). How'd they go? Awesome!? Liar! Anyone out there still on track? Doubtful...unless, of course you implemented the Art and Science of Goal Setting 101!
I've spent a few years teaching classes at Colorado State University in Air Force leadership and one of my favorite sections was Setting Goals. I'm not going to bore you with the details, as I've been know to do on occasion. But before we make the same mistakes in setting wasted resolutions we have to touch on a few basics.
Setting your goals first should follow the acronym S.M.A.R.T
SPECIFIC: Set Specific Goals! Your goals should be very detailed and answers the 5 "Ws" Who? What? When? Where? Why?
MEASURABLE: Use numbers! The more objective the goal, the easier it is to comprehend, calculate, and perform. An example of this is shared in Bailey's latest blog on her 2014 goals..."Sub 4:30 for a 70.3" That's measurable.
ATTAINABLE: I'm all about setting lofty goals, but if they are so large that causes angst and loss of focus which then leads to quitting...then it was a poorly set goal. One method I have my athletes put into practice is set three levels of the same goal. First, is "ok...that would be an achievement if I accomplished but not going to break the bank". Secondly, "AWESOME accomplishment, nailed it!" Third, "Shoot for the moon, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could do such a thing!"
REALISTIC: This bites us as athletes quite a bit. I hear a lot from you guys... "I want to WIN my Age Group!!" Well, we can't control that goal. What if Chrissie Wellington showed up to your race unexpectedly...you could have the best race of your life, but you're not gonna win.
TIMELY: This ties with Specific goals. You should always have a timeline for your goals. "By the end of 2014, I would like to lose 10lbs". SMART!!!
Here's to an awesome 2014!!
I've spent a few years teaching classes at Colorado State University in Air Force leadership and one of my favorite sections was Setting Goals. I'm not going to bore you with the details, as I've been know to do on occasion. But before we make the same mistakes in setting wasted resolutions we have to touch on a few basics.
Setting your goals first should follow the acronym S.M.A.R.T
SPECIFIC: Set Specific Goals! Your goals should be very detailed and answers the 5 "Ws" Who? What? When? Where? Why?
MEASURABLE: Use numbers! The more objective the goal, the easier it is to comprehend, calculate, and perform. An example of this is shared in Bailey's latest blog on her 2014 goals..."Sub 4:30 for a 70.3" That's measurable.
ATTAINABLE: I'm all about setting lofty goals, but if they are so large that causes angst and loss of focus which then leads to quitting...then it was a poorly set goal. One method I have my athletes put into practice is set three levels of the same goal. First, is "ok...that would be an achievement if I accomplished but not going to break the bank". Secondly, "AWESOME accomplishment, nailed it!" Third, "Shoot for the moon, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could do such a thing!"
REALISTIC: This bites us as athletes quite a bit. I hear a lot from you guys... "I want to WIN my Age Group!!" Well, we can't control that goal. What if Chrissie Wellington showed up to your race unexpectedly...you could have the best race of your life, but you're not gonna win.
TIMELY: This ties with Specific goals. You should always have a timeline for your goals. "By the end of 2014, I would like to lose 10lbs". SMART!!!
Here's to an awesome 2014!!
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