Goal Setting for Weight Loss

Like a whole lot of people I know, I swore I would start to exercise more, go on a diet, and lose those extra pounds . Months later, I'm still deciding on the 'best' diet for me. What's holding me back? I had the best of intentions to lose weight and keep it off. I never got started.
According to the experts, I failed because I didn't have a specific, workable, weight loss plan. Studies have found that people with firm action plans are more likely to engage in goal driven behavior, (eg.weight loss).
In my case, I wanted to lose weight and start a healthier lifestyle. But as you can guess, this isn't as easy as just writing down "Lose weight and exercise more". Developing an action plan is a process we must go through, really think about, clearly visualizing what we want.
We need to answer the following questions to create our own weight loss and exercise action plan.

What are my goals?
What, exactly, do I want to achieve?
Write thes down. That helps to make them concrete and doable. Who doesn't like checking off lists when they get done?

The five things to keep in mind when writing down all of our weight loss goals:

1. Make your goals specific. Don't say 'I need to lose weight' or I'm 'going to lose weight', say you will do it. For example: "I will lose 10 lbs and take a walk every evening."

2. Make your excercise and weight loss goals measurable 'I'll walk on the treadmill three times a week for a half hour at a speed of 3.5 miles an hour'.

3. Write down your chosen goals. Create both short term and long term goals for losing weight. Keep a chart or journal to track progress and give yourself some encouragement as you reach your weight loss milestones.

4. Set deadlines.
Make your weight loss goals not only measurable, but time specific. Set realistic weight loss goals. It's hard to pursue goals that can never be attained. Unrealistic goals that never seem to be reached can add to your stress level.

5. Give yourself emotional reasons for continuing to lose weight. What moves you to action? Imagine your feelings when you succeed. What will your reward for achievement be? Write it down and plan for it.
Now that you know how to set up a specific, goal oriented, weight loss action plan, WHAT IS STOPPING YOU!

Business Goal Setting

How many times have your decided to set a goal for your business and set it aside because the task seemed too huge or difficult to begin? I have seen this happen over and over so I decided to share an article I read on business goal setting.
When setting your business goals it is interesting to see that the thought process is no different than personal goal setting. You have to clearly define your goal and write it down.
Here are 8 steps that will help your business achieve the goals you are setting for it.
1.Think about the goal you want to set for business

2.Write the goal down as soon as you visualize it. Writing the goal on paper for posting on a wall or desk where you may review it daily is very important.

3.As you develop and write your goal, make room for changes and put it on a type paper that can be easily updated as needed. This just means you will need to be ready to revise and change the written procedures as you move forward with the implementation of your goal. Change is inevitable a necessity of life.

4.Start taking the steps neccessary to implement your goal.

5.Be sure to write down the date you want the goal to be completed! Also write down the time and day of the week you will start working toward the goal!

7.Begin reflecting on how you are doing working towards you business goal. You can always make adjustments as needed.

8.Develop an attitude of I will do whatever it takes. Too many business owners set goals and then give up do to laziness or they just get to busy to follow thru.
Business goal setting is a long term process and you are going to have to work at it to make it happen. It's your business so you determine the success and failure. Business goal setting is one step that will help you fall into the success category.

"10 Top Tips For Successful Goal Setting"

(c) Jackie Fletcher.

"Goals. There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. And there's no telling what will happen when you act upon them."~ Jim Rohn

Would you like to achieve positive results in your life and get what you really want? This tried and tested goal setting strategy is an effective way to set and achieve your goals

.My Ten Top Tips are as follows:

1. Write them down. By writing down your goals you are showing personal commitment and declaring your intention to succeed, as well as helping to clarify your thinking.

2. Be specific. Write down goals that are specific,measurable and positive. Focus clearly on what you desire,not what you lack or want to get rid of from your life.

3. Have a time limit. Set a date by which you will haveachieved each of your goals. Otherwise, it's like startinga football match without having agreed when the game is toend!

4. Think of the benefits. Think through all the benefits ofachieving your goals, and write them all down. This helpsyou clarify why they are important to you, visualise andfeel what it will be like to achieve them, check howcommitted you are to working on them - and all this willhelp energise and motivate you if the going gets tough.

5. Consider options and obstacles. How many ways can you think of to achieve your goal?
Evaluate the results and consequences of each. What could stop you or cause a problem? And what about subconscious obstacles? Complete this sentence several times to find out more - "I want to achieve (name your goal) but………"

6. Make a detailed plan. Having chosen your preferred way forward, identify all the actions you'll need to take. This breaks a seemingly big and daunting task down into manageable steps, enables you to plan what to do, prepare for problems, and reduces resistance to actually getting started.

7. Identify resources. What skills, knowledge, ability and contacts do you already have? What additional resources will you require? What changes do you need to make? Realistically review and assess this when making your plan, and ask for extra support as required.

8. Balance and fit. Check that all the areas of your lifeare in balance - if not, will your various goals make this happen? Will your goals support your long term plans and fit your ambitions, are they worthy of you, do they reflect your values? So while you are building that great career or business, ensure that you are also looking after your health, relationships, fun time, wealth and personal development etc.

9. Take action! Make a start. Actually take the first step you identified when you formed your plan of action.

10. Review and reward. Set some interim milestones aspart ofyour initial strategy. This means you can check your progress regularly and see that you are moving in the right direction. And as part of this process acknowledge your achievements along the way and reward yourself for everything you accomplish. Celebrate!

Jackie Fletcher is a life satisfaction coach and author of "Coaching Quotations:Over 2000 witty, wise and wonderful quotations your clients will love"http://www.bookshaker.com