Goal Setting 101

It's the time of year where I take a break from the holiday celebrations to reflect on the goals I set last year and start planning for the New Year.  In the past, I was diligent about setting goals, but not focused enough to see them through.

In 2016 I was introduced to new strategies that really changed the way I approached goal setting and substantially increased my success rate!

I set goals for each area of my life, including:

➡  Career
➡  Financial
➡  Family
➡  Faith
➡  Health and Fitness
➡  Personal

Of course, you pick the areas the work for you.  The number of goals does not matter.  I always utilize the SMART goal formula.

Specific:  Know exactly what you want to accomplish.

Measurable:  How will you know when you met your goal?

Achievable:  Make sure your goal is not too far to reach, but far enough to be challenging.

Relevant:  Link the goal to something important to you, something that inspires you.

Timely:  Set a completion date for each goal.

I write each goal as an affirmative statement.  Setting your intention in a positive, present tense, affirmative statement increases the odds of achieving the goal.  Example:

"I am eating clean, committed to a workout program, exercising ____ days per week.  I am ____ pounds after completing my 90 day program"

Refer to your goals often.  If you set goals and put them away for the year, you won't be very effective.  My goals are in a planner I use everyday.  I review them in the morning when I'm planning my day.  It helps to keep my mind focused on the action I need to take to achieve my goals.

Most of all, don't be afraid to dream a little and step out of your comfort zone.  You'll never know what you can achieve unless you try.

Happy New Year,

Sue
sueharkerfitness@gmail.com

Finding My Purpose

Is there a section of the book store you gravitate towards every time you enter the doors?  For me its Personal Development.  I'm not a biased reader.  The subjects range from finances, relationships, business, faith, parenting, diet, health and fitness.  I study each book looking for nuggets I can apply to my life.  Those things that will guide me to be the best version of myself.

So often the topic turns to finding your purpose.  You know...the thing you feel like you were put on this earth to do.  The thing you're passionate about.  The thing you should be doing with your life.  That always left me in quiet reflection of my direction.  I've worked hard to achieve an executive position in my career, but I'm not passionate about the daily functions of my job.  I've been married for 25 years and have 3 beautiful daughters and while I am very passionate about my family, I still felt there was something more.  Something I hadn't touched yet that would give meaning to finding my purpose.

Then my eyes were opened.  Several months ago I was asked to join a health and fitness Challenge Group.  In this group, like minded women shared their successes and struggles and cheered each other on while reaching their goals.  I thrived in that environment.  I stopped quitting on myself and found the consistency I previously lacked to make my health a priority.  

I quickly decided I needed to do this for other women and became a health and wellness coach.  My Challenge Groups are full of busy women striving to live their best life.  It truly makes my heart happy to see others achieving things they didn't think possible.

I finally found my purpose.  If you're ready for a change...ready to achieve something you've never done before, send me an email at sueharkerfitness@gmail.com or comment below.  My New Year, New You! Challenge Group starts next week.  This group will be full of goal setting strategies, clean eating tips/recipes and accountability to keep everyone in the game long after the initial motivation wears off.

I have a spot waiting for you!

Sue