The Benefits of Goal Setting

If there is one topic that is talked a lot about but least followed this is one of them. However if you need to get things done this is where it starts.

What is a goal?

A goal is a strong desire or dream with a deadline to it.

Characteristics:

1) Well Defined: A goal should be well defined, not vague. 'I want to lose 5kgs' is much more specific then 'I want to lose weight'. There is no point starting on a journey if you don't know where you are headed.

2) Deadline: A goal should have a deadline. This is what sets the urgency and excitement to it. Also this is what helps in prioritizing and staying focused. Going back to our previous example - 'I want to lose 5 kgs in 1 and a half months.' This will reinforce the priority.

3) Sincere Emotional appeal: If its not connected to a desire on the inside of you, then all you are doing is wishful thinking. You can change that desire to an important objective and get it done.

4) Challenging: A goal should be challenging, yet realistic. If its too difficult you are going to give up halfway. If its too easy chances are high you will not prioritize it.

Benefits:

1) Confidence: As you achieve goals it builds your confidence. You finish one thing and then another and another. You develop a winning attitude

2) Mentally Tough: With each challenge you overcome, you become more and more mentally tough.

3) Problem Solving: With each challenge you learn how to solve the problems that go with it. Your learning curve increases and you learn more things along to way.

4) Experience: In learning new things and applying them you realize what works best and what doesn't. That adds up to experience.

5) Motivation: If you started something that you really wanted to achieve or get, would you really come so far or put in so much effort only to quit in the middle? I did not think so either. Motivation comes from knowing there is a way to get what you really want and that you can get it.

This is what I did to start me on my fat loss routine. Set your goals and achieve something on a daily, weekly and monthly basis for a start. Once you are used to that you can handle longer timelines.

Courtesy: http://temple-of-fitness.blogspot.in/