When Setting Goals think E.T.A.

It couldn’t be a better time to start thinking about goal setting for 2013 right? When I think of goals, I think about them as the E.T.A. for perfecting a behavior. I mean look at the definition of a goal…

Goal  /gōl/ (noun).

A. The result or achievement toward which EFFORT is directed; aim. Every goal takes effort. Whether it’s inconsistent or consistent there's some sort of effort directed at the intention. The degree of your effort demonstrates the positive or negative results of the goal. Not to its entirety, but probably close to the 95% achievement threshold. Goals require re-training our brains and have a lot to do with being honest with ourselves. Did I put enough effort into that one? The stronger the effort, the faster you’ll get to a goal.  

B. The TERMINAL point in a race. Personally, I compete in plenty of races. You all know that. Crossing the finish line determines the success of the goal. Did I finish in the time I planned? What place did I come in against the field? With every goal we set there has to be some sort of measurement. For some, finishing a 5K is the terminal point for others planning their meals for all 42 meals and metabo meals is the terminal point. Terminal means "the deciding" point. This point decides if you've arrived at your goal. Without a terminal point, we’ll never know if we achieve our goals.

 C. The ACT of throwing, carrying, kicking, driving, etc., a ball or puck into such an area or object. I am almost positive that for the very best of goals that we achieve, we’re sometimes kicking, screaming and driving hard to meet that mark or to find consistency. This is especially true when creating a new behavior. If you want something as bad as you want to breathe, you will be successful. Goals require ACTION. They require sacrifice. The more you're willing to sacrifice the quicker you'll arrive.

Get thinking folks. Every New Year opens the door for a quicker E.T.A. on certain goals.