WIN THE DAY: Pursue YOUR Passion!

We are all currently working toward goals: Fitness, financial, career, relationship, etc. You are probably making great progress toward some of the goals and treading water with others. If you are anything like me, you beat your head against the wall trying to figure out why you can’t get some of your goals moving. You may use excuses like, “I just don’t have the time” or “I had something come up,” releasing yourself from responsibility while still claiming that the goal is a “top priority.” Whenever I’m in that position, I have a little “get real” moment with myself and ask the question: “Do I really want this goal?“

The truth is that we are not always willing to do what it takes to make a goal happen. That’s okay; it doesn’t make you a bad person and it does not mean you will never reach that goal. It may not be the right time, or you may find that the goal is something someone else wants for you, not something you want for yourself. If that is the case, I say redirect your time, energy, thoughts and focus to your current heart’s desire and stop wasting your precious resources on goals you are not invested in. You will be freed from the burden of unsuccessful goal pursuit and relishing in the successful achievement of the goals you truly desire.

How do you know when you are ready to take on a goal? Evaluate your goal against the following four attributes and you’ll have a good test for whether or not you’re ready!

1. You look for solutions, not excuses. When you’re truly ready for change, you stop looking for excuses that rationalize staying where you are and start looking for solutions to navigate around any obstacles in the way of your goal. If you want something bad enough, nothing will stand in your way.

2. You have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Knowing you want to lose 10 lbs, compete in a physique competition, save $10,000, run a marathon, earn a promotion etc. is not enough. You must have a clear, detailed vision of the goal that results from being immersed in (and a little obsessed with) the idea of it. You need to be able to clearly imagine what achieving it looks and feels like and how your life will be different (and better) as a result of achieving it. This detailed vision charged with positive emotion will push you through the challenging days on the path to reaching your goal. See my blog post on Magnetic Visualization for more details on creating strong visions.

3. You are willing to make bold changes, not small adjustments. If you are not willing throw out old thought processes and habits in support of your goal, you are not ready to pursue it. (We have all had the conversation with someone who wants to lose weight, but scoffs at the idea of having to give up dessert or make time for exercise.) From my experience, individuals are much more successful in reaching a goal when they disrupt current habits and thoughts with something new and bold. Making bold changes in support of a goal confirms your commitment to it and helps you stay on track, as small and convenient steps are as easily undone as they are done. For example, when I decided to begin competing, I shifted the hours I was awake to better accommodate getting to the gym two times a day. This was a huge change in my life, but it increased my likelihood of success much more than relying on going to gym during the lunch hour, which was often hijacked by client meetings/issues.

4. You can own the responsibility for achieving the goal. You need to feel solely responsible for making your goals happen. While enlisting others for advice and direction along the way is wise, you need to be the one accountable for making it happen. Many years ago, I hired a trainer to help me get in better shape for my wedding. While I would work hard while I was with her, I did not stay focused and committed outside of our training sessions. When I was not making progress, I initially faulted the trainer, but I quickly realized it was clearly my lack of consistent effort. Until I was ready to take responsibility for my goal, I was wasting the trainer’s time and my own.

Whatever goals you are currently pursuing, take a few moments to consider if they are what you truly desire for yourself. Our time and energy are precious, scarce resources that must be carefully invested in things that move us toward our own dreams, not those of others. So, let your passion lead the way and pursue goals that stir you up. When you do so, few things will get between you and success.

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Until next week, WIN THE DAY!

Your sister in fitness,

Jaime Baird
IFBB Pro
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