It’s the New Year and many of us make “New Year’s Resolutions”.  Most people decide to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, and start an exercising program.  Some people try and do them all!  Not surprisingly, the majority of people fail in their attempts.  This can be summed up with the saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”.

When setting goals we must be emotionally attached to the point that it is an obsession – something that we want so badly that we will persist until we succeed.  If we don’t have that passion, we are not likely to succeed.  Statistics tell us only 10% of Americans have goals and only 3% write them down.  Written goals have 1000% higher change of success over goals that are just in our head.

As you set your goals for 2009, I suggest that you purchase a hard cover note book, date each entry and write your goals down. Make sure that your goals make you reach just beyond your comfort zone.  Next, take some time and prioritize them.  On a separate page, write your #1 goal at the top of the page and begin a list of steps that you can take each day to move closer to your goal.  Put a time frame to the process.  A goal without a timeline is just a dream!  You can always revisit your goals and adjust the timeframe.

Be sure to be realistic in your expectations – for instance if you want to lose 20 pounds you should expect to lose it gradually – you put it on gradually.  For healthy weight loss it is recommended that you reduce by 1 – 1 ½ pounds per week.  Make sure that your list contains revamping your kitchen to avoid the pitfalls of binging.  Have healthy snacks prepared and in easy reach.  Make it a lifestyle change – eat right, move, and become healthy.   You will look good and feel good.

Another example would be if you wanted to save money.  Start by putting 10% away in an account that can’t be touched until later in your life.  Commit to this every month – lock yourself into it.  Live on the 90% remaining.  If you can succeed at this for six months, then take it to the next level and put another 10% away in a separate fund that can be used for emergencies, repairs to house and car, holidays, etc.  As you adjust your spending to 80% of your income, you will gain respect for yourself and feel great.

Remember to reward yourself along the way.  Life is a journey, not a destination, so be sure to enjoy it and celebrate your small successes along the way.  If you have lost 5 pounds of weight in your first month of weight reduction or if you have saved $500 in 2 months, then reward yourself by going to a movie or having a treatment at a spa – something that will make you feel the value of your accomplishment.

Goal Setting Recap:
1.    Write it down
2.    Prioritize your list
3.    Make a plan (list of steps)
4.    Be Realistic – but force yourself out of your Comfort Zone
5.    TAKE ACTION daily to reach your goals.
6.    Reward yourself along the way

Goal setting and achieving is not hard.  It is easy to do.  It’s also easy not to!  It’s YOUR choice.  Make goal setting a lifestyle change in 2009.

I wish you a wonderful goal setting, prosperous 2009!

Anne Witzaney,
Life Success Consultant
Perfect Weight Consultant
www.perfectweight4ever.com
www.witzaney.peoplesway.com
anne.aka@telus.net

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