No 1: IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
Not what you want to have, but what you want to be able to do.
What do you want specifically? When do you want it by? Where? With whom? What for? What will happen if you achieve that? What if you don't achieve that? Is it under your control? Is it worth it?
You see, when setting up goals, a lot of people do it wrong. They state what they want to have, not what they want to do; things like "I want to be slim", "I want a six pack" or "I want to have toned arms"... But, what do you want to do? Because it is as a result of you doing what you need to do that you will get to have what you want.
Your objective needs to be stated in a way that your brain understands it. And just like your computer, your brain needs three things: affirmative statements that are direct and very specific.
If you are just thinking it then it is not an objective, it is just a thought. So, put pen to paper and write your answers to the questions above.
If you don't know what you want, how will you figure out how to get there, and how will you know when you've got there?
No 2: MAKE A PLAN
If you don't have a plan, all you have is some lovely thoughts now and again. I suggest you get yourself a diary, an Excel sheet, a calendar, whatever works for you, and devise your personal strategy. A strategy to suit your lifestyle, your working schedule, etc...
Keeping the end result in mind, what is the first step you need to take in order for you to do what you need to do? And after that? What's next? Do you have all the resources you need (resources are materials, books, money, people), or do you need help?
If it's going to take you 12 weeks to get a six pack , set a date and work backwards from there. If you want to lose a stone in 3 weeks, do the same. Break your objective into smaller, more achievable chunks, so that this week you know exactly what you are doing with regards to training and nutrition, and you can focus on just that. As I tell my clients, it's one week at a time, one day at a time.
You see, now you have more than just a nice thought; now you have a plan of action. And believe it or not, this is what most people lack. It's hard to get motivated if you don't know what you want to get motivated for!
And what are you going to do when you are tired, sad, in a mad mood, frustrated...? You must put strategies in place, so when that happens - and it will - you know exactly what to do. You have to become a bit of a Ninja!
No 3: IMAGINE YOURSELF SUCCEEDING
One of the main functions of the brain is to prove itself right. So, whatever you focus on is magnified, as the brain thinks it is an objective of yours. Also, the brain doesn't know the difference between a vividly imagined memory and reality. This is why if you want to do something, it's vital you imagine yourself doing it like this (read this NLP resource fully before you do it):
- Think of yourself doing the thing you want to do, training in the gym, or whatever.
- When you think about it you may notice the thought to be at a certain distance from you, a certain size, and in a certain place. Just make sure you see yourself in it, looking happy, positive and really enjoying what you are doing.
- Now, imagine the thought getting bigger and bigger until it's almost panoramic. Make sure it's big, bold and colourful, maybe add some sound to it, and notice how good you feel.
- Now, imagine you can float outside of your body and into yourself in the image, so you can see through your eyes, hear through your ears and feel how good it feels to be doing what you are doing and loving it too! Intensify everything even more, so the colours are brighter, the sounds louder and the feelings stronger.
- Now, tell yourself in your most motivating voice to just "Go For It!"
- Now, take a deep breath through the nose and magnify the feelings so you feel even more motivated!
Repeat 3 times, first sitting down, and then standing up, and notice how you feel even more motivated!
Do this every day for the next week and notice your motivation levels soar.
Read more motivation help from Anna Aparicio on our Expert clinic page.
'Like' motivation coach Anna Aparicio's Facebook page to get a copy of her free report 'Why you'll never get what you want unless you do this'.
