If you will recall from last week, we are working on goal setting. In our scenario, your big vision is completing a marathon. You’ve set objectives that you want to reach along the way that will get you to that big vision, but now you need to set goals along the way. Let’s walk through the things that goals should be:

Realistic: If you set a goal that you want to run 8 hours a day to prepare for your marathon, but you still need to work so you can pay your bills in the meantime, then that goal is not realistic. Goals are things that you could actually accomplish.

Time-Oriented: If you say that you want to start out by being able to run 3 miles, but you don’t set a time to complete that goal, you could get to marathon day and only be able to run 3 miles of the 26. You need to specify times to reach your goals. Say you are going to be able to run 3 miles in 2 weeks and then add a mile each week after that. As a side note: It may be different for things like training for a marathon, but in regards to your big life dreams, try setting 90-day goals. This will give you enough time to accomplish something but not be so long that you forget or lose track of what you were trying to accomplish).

Challenging: Your goals need to be challenging. Don’t set a goal that you are going to be able to walk 1 mile a month from now. You can surely do that already. You need to make it a challenge. Set a goal that requires work and commitment (but remember to be realistic – make it challenging but something you can really accomplish).

Measurable: You need to be able to know if you have actually accomplished your goal or not, so make sure it is measurable. An example of this would be saying you are going to lose 5 lbs. by 2 weeks from today. You can step on the scale and see if you have actually lost the 5 lbs. or not. You can also readjust your goals based on whether you achieved this goal or achieved it plus lost an extra 2 lbs.

Emotional: Let’s face it, you won’t work hard to achieve your goals unless they are motivating. Why would you keep driving by your favorite burger place day after day without stopping in unless it means something to you to lose some weight? You know that if you lose that 20 lbs. you will be in much better shape to finish the marathon, but along the way, knowing you’ve lost 5, 10, 15 lbs. can also give you confidence and make you feel better. So these are good goals to set.

Ok, so let’s set some 90-day goals for your marathon training:

In 90 days: Lose 5 lbs. and be able to run 5 miles in one stretch

In 180 days: Lose 10 lbs. total (that’s losing just 5 more lbs.) and run 10 miles a day 3 days a week

In 270 days: Lose 15 lbs. total and run 20 miles in one stretch

In 360 days: Lose 20 lbs. and be able to run 26 miles in 1 stretch so you can run that marathon and reach the finish line!

Goal-setting can seem intimidating at first. But if you break it down and set goals that will point you in the direction that in your heart you know you want to go, then it can be a motivating and invigorating process. If you need help setting goals, be sure to call our office at 303-462-2001 and see how we help clients set goals in all areas of their lives, which ultimately brings them freedom (including financial freedom!). You can also check out our home page to learn more about how a financial life coach can help you.

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