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Health & Fitness

Difference Between Goals and Wishes

Difference Between Goals and Wishes

What is a wish?  The dictionary defines a wish as:  to want; desire; to long for.  Goals on the other hand are defined as: the result or achievement toward which effort is directed.  The difference is profound not only in semantics, but also in how each can shape your thought process, your actions (or lack of), and ultimately, your life.

January is traditionally a time of reflection.  The beginning of a new year lends itself well to taking a good look back on the past year’s successes and learning opportunities (sometimes mistakenly referred to as failures).  It’s also a great time to look forward toward future plans – as in goals or wishes.

If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to think about your 2013, not just in regard to your health and fitness, but in all areas of your life.  Really take some time to dig into what was a resounding success and where there is room for improvement.   Think about what you have learned in areas that didn’t go as well as you would have liked.

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With that in mind, think about how you would like to feel about 2014 at this time next year.  Setting a goal rather than making a wish is an important first step.

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We have all heard it before.  Our world is full of books, seminars, newspaper and magazine articles about goal setting.  These things are particularly evident (in our face?) this time of year.   Don’t panic.  Making goals doesn’t have to be overwhelming or require an enormous effort.  Start small and start simple.  You don’t need to compile a huge long list.  Your goal shouldn’t be designed to impress other people.  They only need to be important to you.  In fact, you can start with just one goal.  Identify one thing that would change your life most this year.  Write down that goal and what you are willing and able to do to make that goal a reality.  Now, create a mantra.  Make it simple, 2-5 words.  Put it on a card in your wallet.  Put it on your computer and/or phone wallpaper.  Post it on your mirror.  Get that goal in front of your face every single day.  Each day repeat your mantra out loud to yourself and think about why you want it.  It’s much easier to change habits when you remind yourself why your goal is important to you.

Then, follow your action plan and do something every day to move yourself closer to accomplishing your goal.   Meeting a goal is almost never an accident.  It takes careful planning, action steps, and perseverance.

It sounds simple, but an important part of meeting that goal is to keep its importance in the front of your mind and just keep at it.   No effort toward your goal is ever wasted.  Don’t let little set backs derail you.  Depending on your goal, it may take some time to see tangible results.  That’s ok.  Keep moving yourself closer and closer to your goal and never give up.

It’s easy for all of us to wish for better health and fitness.  Do you have a wish?  Or a goal?  If it’s still in the wish stage, take the next step and create a goal and action plan from it to get you where you want to be.  If it is a goal and something you really believe in, you have the power to make it happen.  Armed with well defined, important-to-you goals and the help of a wide array of classes at My Stronger Self with incredible fitness instructors, you are unstoppable!   Look out 2014!

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