You set them; You reach them

A strong why changes things but beyond that lies the need for clear goals.

A goal is an idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envisions, plans and commits to achieve, (Wikipedia). Sound pretty simple yet it is simple and complex all in the same breath. How many of us have goals we have never reached? How many of us have goals that do not endear themselves to us? how many times do we set a goal and never attain it? Why do we lack the drive to reach or work towards our goals and we blame others for our inability?

Coach did something I didn’t like initially, but that became a great source of my success and determination.

He asked me to set my own goals.

man lying down on mat while lifting woman

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For many people that isn’t a big thing but to me it has been everything. A general goal may not be achieved but in this instance the difference was in the level of detail required and though relatively simple, it demanded lots of focus to do. He even gave a format of sorts as follows:

  • Current weight – target weight
  • Current clothes size – target clothes size
  • Exercise – intensity, frequency, duration
  • Diet – current plan, intended focus, portion size, food combination
  • Desired support structure – how you will report to coach, how often, format, who in your circle could be your accountability partner
  • Duration – how long will this plan go before evaluation and adjustments are done?

Initially, I thought it was too much and asked many questions. Why should I do all that work when I have a coach? Shouldn’t that be his responsibility? I complained and complained and he didn’t budge. In time I wondered what I had got myself into and why I was being so fussy? Why couldn’t I just get myself organised and keep to the plan no matter what? A short while later it all came together and I sent the goals to him.

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The most fascinating part was the reporting structure. I voluntarily offered to send a daily workout and keep a digital food diary. I chose to lay myself bare before someone else, opening up the door for questions and challenges no matter what. I was excited to start changing my life but a few weeks in I began to falter. Even as he noticed, Coach didn’t budge a bit on the follow up. I’d receive messages like:

Hi, I hope you worked out today, please send me the routine.

Or

I don’t see any workout today…did you,

Or

Sweets, sweets, sweets…I see you really like sugar,

Or

When do I see a change in the routine? You have done x or y for long enough to gain strength so increase the intensity or reps for better effects.

I would be so upset and ask why he wouldn’t give me a break only for him to say, ‘I am holding you accountable to your goals. You set them; you reach them.

achievement activity adolescent arms

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It was true…the goals were mine so I needed to accomplish each one and then a little more. I determined to do something every day no matter how little and my goals gave me places to plot the wins with small ones at the start and larger ones in time. Goals helped me to keep going with clarity no matter what and I realised they are a strong lifeline that trigger responses that push us forward.

Every time I think about how I must to work through my goals or I am losing focus and intensity I remember Colossians 3:2 – 4 (NKJV)

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

I said before that my journey is a result of a conversation with God and I must live up to it because He is faithful and doesn’t fail so neither can I!

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