Fitness Fun Friday #19

After last weeks pretty heavy exercise post, I think I'd like to just talk a little about something that's really, really basic. It's important to work your mental body too, right?

As a chiropractor and pretty down to earth guy, I get asked a wide variety of questions:

• I can't seem to lose weight, what can I do?
• Is joint pain normal?
• Do I have arthritis? And what is that?
• You really bake the stuff on your blog?
• Is Albany like New York City?
• You eat pretty healthy don't you?
• And tons more

Part of the reason I love my job is because it keeps me on my toes, and I have to be prepared for all sorts of situations, and all sorts of people. All of these people though, have one trait in common. Whether they are aware of it or not, they have goals and dreams. Maybe it's to own their own business. Maybe it's to pick up their daughter without arm pain. Maybe it's to buy their mother a car. Everyone has things they would like to have.
Think about it for a second. At this stage in your life, what do YOU want?

Got it?

These are without a doubt, the absolute secret to any type of goals you have set for your individual life. I don't care if they are financial, familial, physical, sports related, or cake decoration related. This literally works for anything.

Don't worry, I'll walk you through it...

Number one... write it down, be specific, and try to set a deadline. This isn't Back to the Future, it doesn't have to include a specific date and time, but you need a good ballpark time frame. Why is this important? Well, it sets a fire off underneath you.

Look at this example...

I want to own a bakery one day vs I want to own a donut and breakfast bakery by the time I am 30 years old in xyz town.

Do you see how one leads to a sense of urgency, even if it is years away? We need that. Life is too busy and tends to cause goal amnesia. Be proud of your goal. Look at it and read it. Go for it.

Number two... find someone who has already accomplished what you did, and learn from them. When I was a young kid, I used to really be into professional wrestling. I know it's kinda funny... but come on Hulk Hogan and Macho Man were cool :) But anyways, a favorite wrestler of mine was Ric Flair. He wasn't the greatest athlete ever, but he had a confident quote that always enjoyed...

"To be man, you have to beat the man"

I like that. In this case, just look at the "man" as your accomplished goal hero. Strive to do what they did, and learn from them. Notice I did not say copy them. Learn from them. Life and goals are individualized, and everyone responds to things differently. You need to learn the ropes, maybe fall down a few times, and then apply them to yourself. Maybe Mr. Smith sold horse racing pink sheets for a nickel, and made PB&J sandwiches everyday for lunch to save and open his bakery. While that worked for him, it might not work for you. Find what does :)

Number three... and most important... be consistent. This is what I find ties into goal achievement the most. No matter what you decide to do, if it is working, I'd stick with it. Do you enjoy kickboxing and it's causing you to loose weight? Cool, stay the course. Does your back feel better after stretching and your arthritis is manageable? Awesome, keep going. Coconut worked well in that peach cobbler? Sweet, now you know, keep it up.

Part of the problem is that I think people give up when things don't happen fast. Keep going, and know that goals take time. Maybe you wanted to be richer or thinner yesterday. That's perfectly fine, but know that a pound a week, or a dollar a day adds up over the long run. Be consistent, and you'll be successful.

Well, that's all I had on my mind today. If it sounded a bit preachy or high horse-y, well I apologize, and that was not my intention. I'm just a 26 year old guy with some goals and plans on his mind. See guys do think sometimes :) (I'll admit my foot goes in my mouth though).

What are your goals, and what are you doing to get them?

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and remember to work your mental body too everyone!

Oh, and would you imagine I did almost 20 of these? Wow. I guess I'm doing ok for myself :)