Goals

The New Year always seems to be the perfect time to set new goals. AKA.. resolutions. But, really at any time you can pause and make a list of things you want to accomplish and set goals for yourself. I don't know if it's my sales mentality or what but, I think that in order to be effective you have to have some sort of list but more importantly a plan. Having a list forces you not only to hold yourself accountable, but also to measure how far you have come. Change whether it be in relationships, work, house decor, your body, etc doesn't happen over night. One thing that I have gotten out of the 12 week program is that a multi pronged approach is helpful. The program asks you to take weekly pictures, measurements, and weight check ins. Sometimes 2 of the 3 are good or 1 of the 3 but the fact that there is progress somewhere is motivating in itself.

Back to goals... I think to some degree all the jobs that I have had post college have involved "sales" on some point. Because I enjoyed it and I was sort of naturally good at talking to people, helping them make decisions, and ultimately getting the sale I felt that tracking the sales process and tracking to a company "goal" was cumbersome. My sales were typically always good and if I had a bad day, week, or month I was confident enough that I would make it up and I usually always did.

When I sold real estate I was so busy that I didn't worry about setting goals. I felt like the sales would come and I was too busy focused on showing houses and marketing my listings that I didn't have time to sit down and chart a path. My Broker would ask me every year, "How much money do you want to make?" followed by, "How many houses do you have to sell to get to that number?".... But, as crazy as it sounds those things weren't my "motivators". Now, it wasn't my hobby and I certainly enjoyed the income but I was doing something that I enjoyed and the money came. For me it was about being the best I could be to my clients by making sure they had a smooth experience. From there, came referrals and everything sort of worked out. I had a clear marketing strategy around my listings and in the end I felt that was what mattered.

However, a few years back I had a boss that was very goal oriented. He forced me to read books by well known business motivators. I slowly started to drink the Kool-Aid. I began to write down long term goals and then break them up into monthly and weekly goals. Sometimes a big number or a major change can be overwhelming, but if you break it down into baby steps it makes everything seem attainable.

Writing things down is step one. That alone gives you a sense of accomplishment. But, you have to keep that list visible and you have to also write your progress and constantly reevaluate.

When it comes to my weight/ body image that is something that I do for me. I have a ton of other goals (professionally and personally) that I work on each day, but this blog is to share my fitness journey. If I can give any advice, it's to take WEEKLY pictures, measurements, and do a weekly weigh in. The scale is my worst enemy because it doesn't always move and sometimes when it does move, it moves in the wrong direction. But, I can tell by my measurements and specifically the way my clothes fit that I have made progress.

One other tip... don't wait until Sunday or Monday to "start over" if you stumble. Start immediately. Pour out that drink. Put down that dessert. ;-)

Now, to write down some resolutions for 2013...

Happy New Year!
Be safe...

V.