Over 90% of people fail to achieve the goals that they set for themselves. Just think about that for a second. That means that when anyone sets a goal, the likelihood is that they will fail. Incredible. Many people will currently have a health and fitness goal that they have set themselves. What can be done to increases the chances of success? Here, Leading Fulham Personal Trainer Nathan Kelly highlights the importance of reverse engineering goal setting.
Reverse engineer your health and fitness goals
As the British weather improves many people start thinking about their bodies and appearance because of more skin being on show! Therefore, lots of people are goal setting at the moment. People who set goals often have plenty of enthusiasm at the start. There is no shortage of motivation or desire to achieve their goal. One of the most common errors that people make, however, is that they fail to plan the journey. They placed too much emphasis upon the final destination. The 8% of people who succeed in reaching their fitness goals plan their route to their goal – and they plan it in a particular way.
Reverse engineering is simply. Begin by having the final destination or fitness goal in mind. Then work backwards from the goal to your current status:
- What will your performance level need to be achieve your fitness goal?
- What behaviours bring about the level of performance required? Think about exercise, nutrition, recovery and environmental factors.
- What milestones or check points are required to make sure you’re on track and making progress? Think of these as stops at the service station to regroup.
- What support do you need from others to support your required behaviours?
- With check points in place what do you need to be doing between now and the first checkpoint?
Don’t underestimate the power of why
There is no escaping the fact that the 8% of the population who are successful really WANT their goal. Research has shown that those people who select meaningful goals are more likely to achieve them. It’s therefore vital that you ask your self and understand ‘why’ your goal is important to you. This reason is going to keep you going when things get tough.
