In order to move forward we need to look back

It’s the end of the year, 2015 has flown by. Time to set new goals and resolutions for 2016. Hurry up, need to have these nailed down by January first right?.. Uh, yes and no. Take a little time to look back and see where you were successful and also the times you missed your mark a bit. By looking back, you may be able to move forward a little more easily.

Yes we need to set goals – I never really liked the word “RESOLUTION” – are we really resolving things? Aren’t we just trying to progress forward to getting better? Resolve sounds so “done”… then why do so many people fail to complete those resolutions? For me achieving a goal means “done done”.

Taking time to review

The reasons we miss our mark when setting goals can be summed up in three key areas:

1. Planning
2. Focus
3. Support

In my past, I have made goals, resolutions, promises and failed to meet them MANY times. Probably more times than I have actually achieved. That’s OK. The ones I achieve – their effectiveness – far outweigh the ones that I may have missed.

By taking the time to set goals and working towards a better [me] tomorrow, I am giving myself the chance to succeed.

We all need to understand that we are not perfect and will not hit all goals 100% of the time. That is OK! Knowing that we are human (fallible) is one part of the equation. The second part is learning. In order to learn we need to search for knowledge, about ourselves and how these processes work.

One of the key takeaways – Don’t stop setting goals and don’t stop trying. You only fail when you stop trying. You know the old saying:

If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.

This is very good advice. I want to make a little change to this.

If at first you don’t succeed, review, adjust, then try again!

In researching goal setting I am seeing a common thread among the “misses”

1. Fear – of success or failure
2. Lack of understanding [about the goal setting process]
3. Lack of commitment to the goal
4. Inactivity
5. Analysis Paralysis
6. Lack of a real destination
7. Failing to plan
8. Having too many goals
9. Feeling unworthy of the result
10. Lack of motivation to change

The list repeats itself in many different articles. I am not sure of the exact “true” source. Here is the search I used to find these results: >Click Here<

Read, Review – don’t repeat

We have a list of common reasons people do not hit their goals. So what now?

We need to look at how to make improvements in these areas, the ones that most affect us, and not repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Seems pretty simple eh?

In looking over my goals for 2015, I see quite a few where I did really well. Others where I can use some improvement. The main focus in performing my review is to see what worked. I do not want to get caught up in the emotional baggage of failure. KISS – Keep it Simple Sally.

Here is a quick rundown…

• Name 3 goals I achieved
  • List the goal
  • How did this goal affect me?
  • What did I do that helped me reach this goal?
• List 2 goals I did not achieve
  • List the goal
  • How does this goal affect me
  • What can I do differently to achieve this goal (or one similar) this year?

Essentially I want to look at the process from the positive side. Focus on what I did right and encourage or enhance those behaviors. Take a look where I fell short and see where there is room for improvement. Try not to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.

Here are 3 of the goals I completed for 2015:

• Lose weight
  • lightest I have ever been
  • feel great – receive a lot of compliments
  • tracking meals and exercise
• Completed a half iron distance triathlon – 70.3 miles
  • pushed myself to new limits, ones I had only previously dreamed of
  • new limits in spiritual, mental and physical toughness
  • Planned out my training
• Beat previous year’s race time for Manchester Road Race
  • Knowing I can not only go longer distances, I can also get faster – did this in a limited time
  • Plans was more focused, better results
  • Used a mentor / coach to help develop my training plan

Here is an example of a goal I did not quite make:

• Lose weight – get to 170 lbs (numbers 3, 7 and 8 from above)
  • I have not hit my target weight yet – still have a ways to go – will be even fitter and healthier
  • Even though I have done well, I know I can do better
  • Lack of focus – did not track all my meals, cheated too frequently, inconsistent with exercising

I know where I made my mistakes in the last goal…  and will run through this process for other goals I had made for 2015. Focus, accountability and having too many goals where a part of it. More to do with the focus and accountability. 🙂

We need to look at the positive and keep motivated. As you can see, one of the items that REALLY helped me achieve one of my goals was getting another person involved, a mentor / coach. This was key in quite a few ways:

1. Affirmed the goal was achievable
2. Provided moral support
3. Kept me accountable

Ending the year 2015

Take this last week of 2015 to look back. Remember – the rear-view mirror is smaller because looking ahead is much more important than looking backwards.

What did you achieve? Celebrate your successes!!!

Where did you miss? Take a little time to see the areas where you can improve.

There is no rush, enjoy the journey. I will take the next few weeks to review last year, list what I want to achieve in 2016 – THEN I will start to formulate achievable goals! Proper planning prevents poor performance..  you know what I mean.

Take your time, and don’t beat yourself up..  you need to be healthy to crush those goals for 2016!!

Peace and Love,
-Dennis

Your turn to move forward

Please comment below and list a goal you achieved this year and what helped you to get there?