Set Yourself Up for Success | PhitZone

Success is putting a plan into action

Be victorious in achieving your goals.

Last time we broke down a list of the things that takes up our time, and then prioritized it all.

We wrapped it up with the thought about what it is that you really want to do.

For example, I mentioned that occasionally I ponder about going back to school. However, at my age, and current job, more education would only give me a slight increase in pay.

However to take time and resources away from those items that rank higher in my priorities (i.e. family, Church, business) would not be worth it.

Every time that I visit this thought, it always goes back to the same conclusion.

Value added

This is why we started off by prioritizing.

Now the question that has to be asked can be made – is a particular goal really worth pursuing:

• Will I become a better person?
• Is any sacrifice required going to have a negative impact on those around me?
• Will the achievement of this goal bring financial gain?
• Do I have time to pursue this goal?
• Are the resources available to pursue this goal?

Ask yourself these questions about personal goal setting. Not as an attempt to talk yourself out of pursuing something. Rather, take this opportunity as an attempt to identify roadblocks, and pitfalls.

You may just decide that the journey is not worth the time and effort.

Keepin’ it real

After going through these exercises, you’ve found where your heart is.

From here on out, let’s say you’ve outlined some fitness goals.

In our example, achieving this goal will help fix some medical issues. In addition your clothes will fit better, and give a boost to your self-esteem.

By identifying a goal, as well as prioritizing the things that suck up your time day-to-day, you have found a time that you can schedule exercise.

Do just that – schedule in your training sessions. Put them on your calendar. Set reminders on your phone. However you schedule the rest of your time is what you want to do with your exercise.

Re-source the knowledge out

You don’t know what you don’t know. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you need to get somebody to help you that does.

The best athletes have coaches, whether amateur or professional. Why shouldn’t you?

If you were learning to scuba dive, you wouldn’t just read Diving for Dummies. You would find yourself a teacher, and get the inside track.

With nutrition and exercise, you can learn a lot in books and the interwebs. Don’t overlook the benefits of hiring a dietitian and personal trainer to at least give you a solid foundation to build from.

Home is where the heart is

Where will you be training? Joining a gym is probably one of the best things that you can do when starting out. There is access to a lot of equipment, trainers, etc.

Having a place to have to go to can also be just the motivation to getting the work done.

When you’ve established a habit, and have a knowledge base to build from, training at home is fine. Just make sure not to lose motivation.

Blueprint to success

You should have a workout all planned out before you even step foot into the exercise area. Whether it’s scribbled on a napkin, printed from a spreadsheet, or an app on your phone, you need to know what you’re doing that day.

Sometimes the gym may be crowded, and you just can’t use a certain piece of equipment, and it’s too crowded to work in with somebody else. This is where a coach is handy.

With a little knowledge, you can select another exercise that still targets a specific muscle group.

Example: the benchpress benches are all full, and no lull is in sight. Grab a couple of dumbbells, a flat bench, and do some DB bench presses. That doesn’t work for you? Find an empty spot on the floor, and crank out some push-ups.

Dress for success

No matter what you are doing, appropriate attire is needed.

There’s no need for a matching velor tracksuit. I’m perfectly happy in a t-shirt, cut-off sweats, and a pair of Chucks. I may not be pretty, but I do mean business.

When you dress the part, and feel like somebody that exercises, you’re more likely to do just that.

Abs are built in the kitchen, not the gym – Anon

All of the exercise in the world will do you know good unless you’re eating the right fuels.

I wouldn’t run 87 octane gas in a Ferrari – you know, if somebody gave me a Ferrari (hint, hint). High performance vehicles need high performance gasoline.

The human body is no different. Your high performance body requires high performance fuel. Give it what it needs.

That’s that

And now you know the secret to success, at least as far as S.M.A.R.T. goal planning is concerned.

Use your new found power for good.

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Photo: Sanja Gjenero

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