“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
– Walt Disney
As 2017 reaches its close, 2018 opens more doors for opportunity, the question is what have we got planned? According to the statistics of the 2017 resolutions, the number 1 goal was to lose weight/healthy eating; in a poll published by Bupa, 50% of Brits were not confident they would achieve their goals, why? Most likely because they are not setting them right, in this post Focus Fitness UK covers the best ways to achieve your 2018 new years resolutions by setting them correctly.
1. Start from day one
Understanding of the principle
90% of start ups fail. Why? Because they don’t start, because they lose sight of how and why they will succeed and because they are too afraid of the consequences that come with failure. The Zeigarnik effect states that once you start something, you are more inclined to finish it because the task is left unfinished in your mind. The same with your resolutions and goals.
Use of the principle
If your goal is to join the gym and get fit but you know you will not train adequately when you join, sign up for a membership as soon as the gym opens and get yourself a personal trainer who will guide you. This way you have started something systematic and because your trainer will guide you through workouts now and in the future, you will feel less inclined to walk away because the goal is unfinished.
2. Envision your goal
Understanding of the principle
Once you have set it, once it has been written down, you must now visualise what that goal is and how it looks. Visualise yourself living the goal, breathing the goal, know your terrain. In the popular book “The Secret”, a renowned philosophy is mentioned known as the law of attraction which states that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts a person attracts positive or negative experiences into their life. Adapting this concept to the visualisation of your goal is imperative, you must first believe the goal is achievable, then you will be able to envision yourself fufilling it.
Use of the principle
If you are aiming for a desired physique, visualise what you want to look like, look for a physique you aspire to have and envision yourself in the same position. Tell your trainer or training partner, share your vision with those you trust and you will automatically feel more engrossed in the idea.
3. Be formless, like water
Understanding of the principle
From the wise words of Bruce Lee. A key concept which should be understood prior to setting your goals. Understand that your goals will not have a set path, they will not follow one particular pattern, refrain from rigidness, be flexible and you will innevitably achieve your goals. How you achieve the goal may not happen as planned, but as soon you can understand the significance of faith and belief upon an unpredictable terrain, you will see light at the end of the tunnel.
Use of the principle
Have a plan B, C, D and so on. Don’t limit your fitness journey to one route, perhaps your training style might change, your diet may alter, your lifts might fluctuate and/or your off days may shift. Don’t reduce yourself to one training system, be flexible. Whatever gets you there.
“Yesterday you said tomorrow”
– Nike.
4. The loss for not starting > The loss for failure
Use of the principle
Success is inevitable, but along the way you will most likely fail at some point, the reward for effort however, is far greater than the reward for achievement. Realise you will benefit more greatly along the journey and success will fall into your lap. By failing to strive for your goal, it can cost you dearly, but by striving for your goal, truly it is priceless. By aiming for achievement, you will eventually merge with it and fufill your inner desires, but by not starting at all, you will never be what you set out to be, “To be or not to be”.
Use of the principle
If you don’t start now, realistically you’ll never start and thus you’ll never get there. Put your name down for class, sign up for that membership, aproach a personal trainer and tell them your goals. Or skip the middle man and become a personal trainer yourself! What do you actually have to lose?
Written by Daniyal Siddiqui.