Should You Even Bother with Setting Goals?
What is your main goal in life?
What gets you up out of bed every day? Is it one thing or several little things. It may be to one day run a marathon or on a bigger scale to own your own successful business. Whatever your goal may be, it is safe to say you will work towards it until it is achieved.
Setting goals is a proven method of success, not just in regards to sporting performances but your everyday lives. This process evaluates where you are at and highlights where you want to be. This may be where you see yourself in a day, a week, a month or a year’s time. The lifespan of a goal is individual and can be reassessed over time if required. Goal setting is one of the most important techniques taught to elite athletes and those in the business world from early on in their careers. However, you don’t need to be an athlete on a six figure sum or a multi-millionaire to set goals. Below I have listed why they are essential to your everyday life and how you can start today.
Why should you bother setting goals?
Studies have shown that setting goals improve overall performance by 16%. That 16% can be the difference between winning and losing, achieving your first pull up within a set time frame or as simple as reaching your mark on your daily run. If you’re anything like me, you need direction to focus your attention on the end goal. For example, if your goal is to run a half marathon by the end of the year, you may start simple.Running a little further every day or lifting a little heavier every week. It is these small, somewhat achievable goals that will ultimately direct you to complete the overall goal. These small steps will provide you with the feedback you require to keep you on track.
What should my goals look like?
While most people know they should set goals, many don’t actually know how to. It is essential to make sure your goals are realistic, to prevent being discouraged and in turn giving up. Start by simply writing them down and place them in an easily viewed location. If you see it every day, it will more than likely be at the forefront of your mind. Make them realistic, no one will work towards something achievable. Ensure you fit time into your busy schedule to work towards your goals If you don’t set aside the required time, you may slip back into the same old habits, never actually achieving anything. Lastly, make your goals something you actually want to achieve. No point working towards being a marathon runner, when in fact, you can’t stand running. You’ll find your motivation will quickly walk out the door.
What does this mean for you?
Whether you are an elite athlete or an everyday individual with an aim to get fit, goal setting is for you. They will assist you in not only reaching your end destination but through the ins and outs of the journey. At the end of the day, whilst it is important to set goals, it is equally as important to remain focused and motivated because without focus your goals just become words written on paper with no real meaning behind them. Remember if you fall off the bandwagon, it’s okay, just try your best to get back on it the next day.
Naomi Wallis
Product Manager
Naomi speaks all things functional movement. She loves it so much, she adopted it into her daily fitness routine. To say sport was ingrained in Naomi is an understatement.
In fact, she loved it so much, she went on to study sports science at university and has worked for some of the best NRL teams in the country.
Her world is revolved around the sport and she brings this enthusiasm to the table every single day.
