I was talking with my Father who told me the story a friend shared with him recently. His mate John had been training at a local gym for a couple of months.
A few days after New Year’s Day John went to gym and couldn’t find a car park. He approached a gym manager to address his concerns about the gym being so busy. The manager responded in an ironic tone, “Don’t worry, there will be plenty of car parks in a couple of weeks, just you wait and see.”
The manager’s point was that most people who declare a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and get fit — don’t stick at it. In fact, they stick all of about two to three weeks on average and then they’re gone, resigned to the murky backwaters of procrastination once again. It’s common knowledge that gyms make most of their money from patrons not showing up. So remember that next time you sign-up, because you may be better served saving your hard earned money.
It’s one thing to set a goal, quite the other to stick it out and see it through! The best way to set goals is to commit to small and realistic goals and then truly commit to seeing them through. This builds confidence to then enable you to increase the size and importance of your goals accordingly. Many people ambitiously set ‘Big Fat Hairy Audacious Gaols’ (BFHAG’s) and then wonder why they never achieve them. I’m all for climbing mountains but do so with a prepared mindset.
Another effective way to set a goal is to apply my 2.2 Rule. Work out the best possible time to achieve a goal and then multiple the time by 2.2. This will provide you with a more realistic time for achievement by factoring in the extra time required for things you didn’t plan for (usually considerable) that leads to de-motivation and ultimately quitting.
If something is important to you, you will fight for it! If it’s not important, you won’t. Case closed. Partners who ache for their spouse to change their bad habits or people wanting to give up vices will always find frustration, unless there is sufficient buy-in to warrant a change in behaviour. Tony Robbins advocates attaching pain to things to create leverage, I don’t think changing behaviour is about pain, I believe it’s about discipline and focusing on the things that matter most to you.
Some people believe they are not disciplined. I say that’s a cop it. Discipline is easy, overcoming cancer is difficult. The bottom line is, if you really want something then have a crack and fight for it. If it’s not important enough to you— then simply retreat back to the lounge and watch your big screen TV.
I have gone a bit hard on you in this blog, I know, because I believe in you, the rest now is up to you. And don’t forget the old cliché; if first you don’t succeed then try, try again!
Inspire,
Trent Leyshan, Founder BOOM! Sales
