At Exalt Fitness, we believe that having a goal isn’t just something nice to think about – it’s a powerful tool that can drive you to achieve more, no matter where you are in life. Whether it’s a big work project, a time you wanted to beat in a school sport, or something personal like fitness, setting a goal provides the focus and motivation you need to make progress. When you lack a clear goal, it’s easy to go through the motions and feel like you’re spinning in place, which can lead to frustration and even setbacks.
Let’s say you have a goal to lose 15 pounds. Fantastic! But just deciding you want to lose weight isn’t enough. Without a plan, it’s easy to find yourself three months later with no progress – or worse, further from your goal. Instead, think about why you want to lose weight. Is it to feel confident, improve your health, or maybe look your best for your son’s wedding in six months? Once you identify why it’s important, you can break it down into smaller, achievable steps, like losing 2-3 pounds each month. This not only makes it easier to tackle but also keeps you moving forward with purpose.
The Power of Writing Down Goals
Research has shown that writing down your goals dramatically increases your chances of achieving them. A study from Dominican University of California found that people who wrote down their goals, created action steps, and shared updates with a friend had a significantly higher success rate compared to those who didn’t. This illustrates the power of committing your goals to paper and the value of accountability. Writing down your goals makes them real and helps you visualize the steps you need to take.
Breaking Down the Goal-Setting Process
Setting and achieving a goal takes thoughtful planning and small steps. Here’s a breakdown of the stages of goal setting:
- Define Your Why: Ask yourself why this goal matters to you. Your “why” will be your motivator on tough days.
- Set a Realistic Timeline: Pick a deadline and be realistic. Achieving goals takes time, so allow yourself enough to make steady progress.
- Break It Down: Once you have your main goal, break it into monthly or weekly milestones. Smaller steps make the goal feel manageable.
- Create Daily Actions: Establish what needs to be done every day or week to stay on track. If your goal is to lose weight, daily actions could include a 30-minute workout or sticking to a meal plan.
- Track Your Progress: Regular check-ins help you see how far you’ve come and what adjustments might be needed.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledging progress boosts motivation and helps you maintain momentum.
Goal-Setting Support at Exalt Fitness
At Exalt Fitness, we’re here to help you set, track, and achieve your goals every step of the way. Our members meet with us every three months to talk about their progress, celebrate what went well (we call these “Bright Spots”), and work through any obstacles. These meetings help you focus on your goals, stay accountable, and build on successes while troubleshooting any setbacks.
Accountability is powerful. Many of us work harder when we know someone is cheering us on. At Exalt Fitness, our team offers the support, tools, and strategies to help you reach your goals, one step at a time. If you’ve been trying to make progress alone without success, it might be time to ask for help. Our goal is to help you create a lifestyle you love, and with practice, patience, and time, you’ll get there.
