9 Steps to Being Successful in 2014

Have you had the opportunity to put your goals on the Mission 2014 board at Modig Fitness? While these goals are intended to be CrossFit focused, it brings to mind that whether its CrossFit, your family, your job or other aspects of life, goal setting is so important. What better time to do this than at the beginning of the year? We prefer to avoid the use of the word “resolutions” and rather “goals” because the connotation, however slight, is key.  The following is a posting from our CrossFit friends across the pond that we thought would be good to share as you consider what you want to achieve.

“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra

Let it be said that CrossFit attracts (or perhaps nutures?) individuals with drive and ambition, which extends beyond training into your personal lives. We know you all have big plans for 2014, so here are some tips to make those New Year’s resolutions goals become reality, and not just something that falls by the wayside.

1. Think Big. Create a 10-year, 5-year, and 1-year vision of your ideal life, etc.

2. Summarize. Within your 1-year vision, pull out a few wider objectives. Career, financial, relationships, health, fitness, giving back – whatever is important in your life.

3. Evaluate. Take some time to really think about why these objectives are important to you. What impact would they have on your life if you achieved them? If you struggle to come up with anything, you might want to re-assess what you’re aiming for!

4. Break it down. For each objective, break it down into the tasks you would need to meet, or habits you would need to create, to achieve what you want. Logging your WODs, your lifts, etc. are just a few ways to accomplish some of the CrossFit related goals.

5. Get specific. Most of us would roll our eyes at the mere mention of S.M.A.R.T goals, but they’re more than just an overused corporate acronym. Nail down the details: Instead of saying “I want to get stronger this year”, go for something like “I will increase my 1RM back squat by 20% by September”. And don’t be embarrased if you don’t know what it stands for – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

6. Prioritize. If you have a big list in front of you, it’s going to be near impossible to focus on everything at the same time. Start with three things that will have the biggest impact on your life.

7. Review. Set a timetable for each goal to check how you are progressing. Seriously. Actually put it into your calendar/diary/life organization system. If you’re like me, you might want to set up regular meet-ups with a close friend to discuss and keep each other on track. Good coffee is essential.

8. Anticipate. Try to think ahead about what obstacles might trip you up on the way to achieving each goal. If you are looking for them before they appear, you are more likely to be able to happily skip around them! Or at least create a contingency plan.

9. Resilience. Don’t let a stumble force you off course. Pick yourself up, dust off, and get back to it. Or if it becomes clear what you’re working towards is no longer right for you, don’t be afraid to let it go and direct your efforts elsewhere.

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.” – Karen Lamb

Want the community to hold you accountable? Share with us some of your 2014 goals, training and otherwise, in comments!

(Source: www.crossfitthames.com)