Coaching Corner: PERSONAL HEALTH STRATEGY

I don’t have a clear definition for “personal health strategy” (title and theme of this blog), but I do know it would encompass the following variables:  exercise plan, meal plan, family plan, self-care plan, financial plan, career plan, etc.  These are the pieces of the puzzle.  These are the components that play an important role in your success.   Ultimately, we don’t have 100% control over numerous things in our life, but I hope the following components help you establish some strategic framework to your personal vision and health strategy.

• Convictions-- Why do you believe what you do? Why do you believe it is important to keep a gratitude journal? Why do you believe you need to practice yoga twice a week?  Why do you believe you need to eat a healthy diet in order to succeed?  “It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief.  And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”  Muhammad Ali


• Mission—To what purpose have you been called upon?  What do you DO?  HOW do you do it?  Whom do we do it for?  Every business has a mission statement…what is yours?


• Vision—Who is your best self? Where are you being called to go?  What do you see yourself accomplishing?  Who is surrounding you?  How are you living life? This is a powerful thing.


• Strategy—How are you being lead to get there?  Motivation is necessary here.  Without motivation then the HOW will either NOT happen OR it won’t happen very long.  Example:  Ms. Jones wants to lose 10 lbs., but she has no idea what is motivating her to stick to a lower calorie plan in order to reach that 10 lb. loss.  If it is only the # on the scale then I guarantee this lower calorie plan won’t last in the long-term.


• Objectives— IF YOU AIM AT NOTHING YOU HIT IT EVERYTIME.  YOU NEED GOALS.  Your objectives are the goals.  What 3-month goals are you making?  Have you developed weekly behavioral goals to set yourself up for success?  Example:  “I am going to CrossFit from 6:00-7:00 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.”  If this is my weekly goal then it will help me reach my bigger goal: “At the end of 3 months, I am improving my mile time by 30 seconds.”  Check out more information with David’s post on Creating Goals Through a Vision.

 

Okay, so I’ve given you the strategic framework to develop your personal health strategy, but what next?

• Make a date with yourself.  Figure out a time when you can sit down and go over these different components.


• Write it down and keep it somewhere visible.  Keep a journal.  Use the journal.


• Tell SOMEONE.  If you’ve taken the time to think about this and write it down then tell someone you trust to help hold you accountable as well as being a great support.


• GET ACTIVE. ENGAGE YOUR GOAL.  Take the forward steps.


• Re-write your weekly goals every Sunday or Monday.  Re-evaluation is necessary.