Keeping On Track

2014 is about six weeks old. Are you keeping on track???

As I think about that, I call to mind my goals for the year. My key goal categories include spiritual, emotional, personal development and physical growth. All geared at ensuring that this year ends as my best year yet; my most productive year...I will see myself at less than 100kg by Dec 31^st 2014. Following my goals I have plans I activate each day to help me deliver on the goals.

What goals did you set for this year? Research shows that mid-way through February over 80% of people would have dropped all New Year resolutions and plans -reverted to old ways and old bad habits. Ever wondered why?

I have read that some of the reasons why we go off track could be because:

We never really formalize what we want. The English say that ‘if wishes were horses, beggars would fly’ - meaning that it is useless to just wish about something when taken action will give you effective results. What action [plans] have you put in place to achieve your goals? So make some concrete plans NOW. 

There is nothing at stake if we do not achieve our goals. Remember how your parents would promise you a trip to the amusement park or zoo if you outperformed everyone in your class at school? I think it’s the same principle – place an incentive before yourself – so that you have something to look forward to when you achieve your goal. A friend of mine told me of a weight loss money purse in his office – the way it works is at the start of the challenge each member contributes a set amount to the purse (say N5,000  - in his case it was $15), and each person openly checks his/her current weight and this is recorded. Then at the end of a set period members again check their weight and the biggest loser gets the pot! Think of this, where you have 10 people in the group, the biggest loser goes home with N50,000 or $150! Incentive, right?

No one holds us accountable. I’ve found that this is particularly helpful, especially if you are like me and have to struggle with will power. Have someone in your circle hold you accountable to ensure you are on track with your action plans. Yes, I said action plans and not goals, because I am a firm believer that when you keep on track with the right action plans your goals will invariably be achieved and not the other way round. For me the daily action plan is KEY. My friend Iye has been known to caution me when I reach for that fourth cup of tea… - yes, I really drink that much tea.

So what if you are like me and you have done on the above and you are still struggling? What next? I’ll add another dimension that I just discovered. Beware of saboteurs! Yes! SABOTEURS – things, environments and people who sabotage your efforts and will for a healthy lifestyle. These are the enablers that push us away from our resolve. For me it includes my friend who says ‘Liz, you need to stop this weight loss thing, it’s enough, you are beginning to look gaunt’ and my other friend that says ‘you are going too far’. Me thinks I ought to introduce them to my doctor and have them hear from the proverbial horse that I am still obese even at 40kg+ lighter. For my health I have to push on and shed the extra pounds no matter what it takes …for my health. My health and life is at stake here.I’m thinking one way to shut the opinions of saboteurs (myself inclusive) is to visualize what your goal is…I am sure when I get to that goal weight/size these will be the people front and center telling me how good I look and how good it was that I stuck to my plan.

Your saboteur could be that friend that keeps buying you cupcakes and ice cream – don’t get me wrong, I love to get such gifts but not every other day.

Another saboteur could be that ‘boo’ who professes that he loves his women with ‘meat’ on them…! I don’t doubt that men have their preferences, but I don’t think love should lead me down the path to become Ms Michelin…no offence, I’m just saying J

Then the worst saboteur of all is the closest person in the world to you, look in the mirror and sees her/his face. Yes, you can be your own worst saboteur when you do not take adequate precautions to keep on the straight and narrow. Shocking? Indeed – because I know I am my own worst saboteur. You should see the excuses I give to avoid going for my morning walks – they look really stupid a few hours later when I realize the opportunity I squandered. Am I alone here? Do you also sabotage yourself?

I am not so smug to think that my ideas at keeping on track are the only valid ideas out there. So please comment, let’s compare notes – how do you keep on track?

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