Make Your Goals Real

Goals are nice. We make them every year at New Years, and every year it seems most of us break them by January 2nd. So what does it take to avoid this cycle? First, write it down. It's always easier to remember if it is written down so you can see it. Second, make it a challenge. If it is too easy, you will get bored. Third, make it realistic. If you tell yourself you are going to lose 100 pounds in 1 week, it's just not going to happen. So give yourself a fighting chance. Fourth, be specific! While 100 pounds in 1 week is not a good goal, neither is saying I’d like to look good by next month. Fifth, make it measurable. If you don’t set down specific measurements, how will you know if you have actually attained the original goal. And finally, give yourself a timeline. You can say I want to lose 10 pounds. But if you don’t give yourself a deadline or timeline to complete this task in, there is no motivation not to just wait another year or two.