PREFACE
Clear goals give you a practical way to connect daily choices with what matters to you.
In this article we will go over:
- My College Experience Setting Goals
- The Thought Process behind setting goals
- How setting goals changed my life
- The Goal Setting Journey
- What's your why?
My Experience Setting Goals
At Montclair State University, I had taken a yoga course taught by the brilliant Dr. Robert Gilbert. Feel free to check out his rate my professor and how they talk about how good of a man he is.
I took a yoga class that he taught my sophomore year. We did not do one yoga pose the whole semester yet to this day it was one of the best classes I ever took in my life. He is a man that gives advice that you can take with you for the rest of your life while showing up as a genuine human being.
One day he comes into class and hands us a business card. I look at it and it has three questions on it. Dr. Gilbert proceeds to preface this activity as one to take seriously for ourselves and to keep this card on us in our wallets. The three questions were:
1. Do you have your goals?
2. Have you written down your goals?
3. Do you have written-down goals with you right now?
On the other side of the business card, there were three lines to write down three goals. I thought it was a cool activity to do and by this point of the semester, I have tons of respect for the man and I do just as he says.
I filled it out and below you can see the image of my response.
My handwriting may be hard to read, so here are the three goals I wrote:
Better myself every day.
Stay connected to what matters.
Work with clients and teams.
That card became a reminder of my values. Broad intentions gave me direction, while specific actions helped me put them into practice.
Start broad, then get practical
For me, helping people has been the thread connecting coaching athletes, entrepreneurs and executives. My work and interests have evolved, but the underlying values remain useful.
Your own starting point may be having more energy for family, feeling capable on a trip or returning to an activity you enjoy. Write down why that matters before deciding what your weekly plan will look like.
What is your why?
Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” framework is one way to think about purpose. I find the idea useful when connecting long-term values with everyday choices.
Simon is expressing that people buy from other people and organizations because of the reason WHY they do what they do. After we resonate and connect with our why (mission), then we move on to the HOW. The how is what makes someone or an organization special and is set apart from the competition. The WHAT is what the person or organization sells or offers.
With so many products and services, people put their money into who and what they believe in. The why will have you feeling content and fulfilled in your day-to-day grind. We all have our struggles so knowing our purpose (the why), will keep us on the path of our goal achievement.
I want to take this ideology and bring it over to your fitness and nutrition goals.
Achieving Goals
I believe there are levels to goal achievement. Staying connected to your why will have you getting clear on all of your goals and all that you do in life. You have a 10,000-foot view (Big Picture) and you can go deeper into your personal fitness and nutrition goals. Once you have that, we can go into your SMART goals.
Make your goals specific
SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-oriented. Choose a practical next step, decide how you will track it, and set a date to review your progress.
Your Goal Setting Process
My why has been about helping people. The best way I know how is by bettering myself every day which will allow me to be better for those around me in whatever we are doing, not losing track of what's really important, and working with clients and teams. I want to help you in your goal-setting process, gaining clarity, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Goal Planning Steps
When you get into the nitty-gritty of goal setting, follow the steps below.
1. Write out your 10,000-foot view goals (Your WHY)
2. Personal goals (Fitness & Nutrition Goals)
3. SMART goals for the 10,000 ft view & personal goals
Build a plan around your goals
Vela offers individual coaching shaped around your training history, goals and availability.
