January is often a time of renewal, New Year’s resolutions and fresh starts. Perhaps it is a time of reflection of what went well in the previous year and what will be different in the year ahead. Or, maybe January is just another month in the year and New Year Resolutions are not for you.
I do not set resolutions. I do not place unnecessary pressure on myself to achieve unrealistic fitness, health, work or personal resolutions at 12:01AM January 1st. However, I strongly believe in setting SMART goals - Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Timed - and focusing my time and energy on a Vision Board. I set aside at least 10 hours to work on my goals and my visions board for the year ahead.
Some people say, “10 hours, really?” I said, hell YA. Honestly, 10 hours is not a long time to invest in you, in how you want the next 12 months of your life to unfold. I recall the days I would invest 10 or more hours planning my daughter’s birthday party, a family vacation or sometimes a diner party with friends.
I worked in the fitness industry managing clubs across Atlantic Canada. The arrival of January was often bitter sweet. It was a time of high energy, new members with hopes of attaining their resolution, this time, along with dedicated lifers continuing with their goals of continuous health improvement. Although I loved the energy, excitement and passion of each new person becoming a member, my heart was heavy. Very heavy. I knew most of the New Year’s resolutioners would be gone by February, if I was lucky, I would have them until March.
As February creeped up, the clubs were slowing down, the excuses were creeping in, and you know it, cancellations were piling up. Frustrating for me - as predicted.
I would see people working hard but not with SMART goals. They would come to the gym twice a day, stay for hours on end, reduce their food intake. Not sustainable. Frustrating for new members- predicted
Often in our professional role, we also work hard but not necessarily SMART. We start the year off with some sort of plan but often a plan that is not realistic, or sustainable, leading to frustration. Running on the treadmill of hope.
However, not everyone who starts at the gym quits by February. There were many success stories. I would have conversations and understand what contributed to their success vs frustration. Their head was in the game. They had a plan - a plan that was realistic and achievable. They had SMART goals. One thing that was also a common thread - they were accountable. The most successful members were those who were accountable to somebody and to something; often a trainer or coach, friend, or team and to their goals.
During the first 3 weeks of January at Sandler, each client presents their goals and Vision Board for the year ahead. I will not deny we had some nay-sayers, “this is silly”, “really, do I have to?”. YES, you do. No excuses.
I have been involved with Sandler (as a client for 4 years before becoming an employee) for 8 years and I know the life changing experience of setting SMART goals and being accountable to a Vision Board. Those nay-sayers, who originally pushed back, had a different perspective after presenting their Vision Board. They thanked us for pushing them beyond their comfort zone.
Will you continue running the treadmill of nowhere, frustrated with lack luster results and abandon your resolutions by February? Wait in anticipation that 2018 will turn out the way you hope? Good luck with that. What statistic do you want to be part of – the top 3% of people who are goal setters or 98% of the population who forgo their goals by January 15th.
Get your head in the game. Establish a plan. Build solid goals, hire a coach, hire a trainer, ask a friend or co-worker to be your accountability partner. Set yourself up for success, like those members who succeeded at the gym running on the treadmill of accomplishment.
Hey, don’t take my word as gold; read Amber's story in our January Newsletter.
Tracey Kieley is the Director of Business Development at Sandler Training in Halifax.
