Goal setting Steps:
1. What is your Outcome goal? This is your ultimate destination. Figure out what you want to achieve. If it’s weight loss then specify how much weight, if it’s strength gain, figure out how much you want to be able to lift. Be as specific as possible.

2. Why is this goal important to you? If a goal is important and you can identify the reasons, then you are much more likely to stick to the plan.

3. What barriers to your success do you anticipate? Identify the behaviors, actions, attitudes that you need to change to be successful. Some people need to schedule time to work out, or eat smaller portions, or change the way they talk to themselves.

4. What are you willing not to do? This is important because your goal may be hard to achieve and yet you want to know ahead of time your limits as to how far you are willing to go.

5. How motivated are you? This is tricky but you want to know this so you can make sure you are successful and not setting yourself up for failure.

6. What is your time frame for achieving your goal?

Now that you have set the goal in place, you are ready to make a plan. First, make some Process goals based on your outcome goal. Why? Because this is your roadmap- you need to know your route before you can reach your destination. You have a high degree of control over process goals. They need to be measurable such as, I will walk a mile each day for the first week, or I will go to the gym three days this week. Such goals have a high success rate because they are attainable and they can change behaviors and attitudes.

Practical Principles of Effective Goal Setting:
1. Make goals specific, measurable, and observable.
2. Clearly identify time constraints.
3. Use moderately difficult goals.
4. Record goals and monitor progress.
5. Include a diverse combination of short-term and long-term goals.
6. Set short-range goals to achieve long-range goals.
7. Make sure goals are internalized- own your goals.

Be SMART with goal setting:
Specific
Measurable
Action oriented
Realistic
Time-bound

Remember, you are in control so,
Have what you want, do what it takes, and be committed!