Are you ready to smash your goals in 2018? As excited as we get about a new year, the overwhelming weight of a big end goal can be difficult to bear. But we've got your back! Our guest today, Daniel Guzman, is a fitness professional and WBFF Pro with a passion for helping individuals transform their lives. And he is here to provide you with his pro tips on how to reach your goals in 2018. If you want to know him better, read our interview with Daniel on our blog.
Has anyone found my 2017? I have no idea where it went. Seriously though, 2017 has come and gone. Here's to hoping it was a fruitful and productive year for all of you. As is the case with any year, the end of one brings renewed excitement and motivation for the one to come. We all start plotting our domination of the new year but then 6 weeks in, everything comes to a screeching halt. Why tho’?
The road to our goals can become daunting and overwhelming. I myself have experienced goal derailment too often. However, every year that passes I do feel like I have become much better at staying the course and checking those goals off. Here are some things that you can implement to stay locked and loaded on your goals.
ZERO IN ON YOUR GOALS AND WRITE THAT ISH DOWN!
First and foremost, you need a clear vision. What is it that you want 2018 to be about. Perhaps you want to change your body, begin a new career, make more money, or pick up a new hobby. Do some quick thinking and figure out exactly what your goals are going to be. And then write them down. Every. Damn. Day.
Sounds silly, right? Well... Did you know that by doing so you're 42% more likely to accomplish those goals? If writing my goals down on a regular basis gets me that much closer to them, well I might write them down twice a day (thinking 84% success rate, jk jk).
But seriously, this is coming from a study done by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at the Dominican University in California. She gathered 267 people - men and women - with different careers and goals. Simply put, those that wrote down their goals achieved them at a much higher rate.
Perhaps writing them down on a post it is enough for you. Or perhaps you want something a little bit more meaty. I recently invested in a journal from The Best Self Co. Whatever your vehicle is, make sure you're being consistent and visualizing.
GET FRIENDLY
Listen, 2018 isn't going to be all roses, rainbows and donuts. There are going to be some dark, rainy days that just knock us on our buttocks. And instead of staying focused on your goals, it's very possible to push work aside or reach for a pint (or two) of ice cream. You know who's going to slap that ice cream out of your hands? Your friend! He or she is going to put the team on their back and carry you to the finish line on that day. We're all going to need that motivational force at some point in 2018. It'll help a lot more if you find someone who shares your vision and goals.
Perhaps the biggest reason to get a buddy is ACCOUNTABILITY. Somebody to not only keep you in check but also someone for your to disappoint. Yup, you read that correctly. Skipping out on that workout? Well, you're not only letting yourself down but your buddy. Skipping out on your "I own a business, time to put in work" sesh? Well, you're affecting two businesses.
Stephen Covey is a pretty successful person. I know of him through his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (which is a great read and if you haven't... do it!). He has a powerful quote that reads: Accountability breeds response-ability. It's easier to give up or give in when you're fighting the fight alone. But when you have someone holding you accountable, you're more likely to respond and stay the course.
DISCONNECT
I know that goes slightly against my previous point. But I mean this in a productive and calculated way. Goals won't be accomplished overnight. We need to accept that (unless they do for you, in which case... teach me!). We can get overwhelmed chasing these goals and it can become exhausting. Every now and then, it's good to just take a little time off.
Get out there and have a night out with the guys or girls. Enjoy that meal that brings you so much joy and satisfaction. Pick up a book and absorb some knowledge (I can recommend a couple here). I played video games for the first time in a long time a few weeks back. I forgot how that could actually help to clear the mind. So if gaming is your thing, get a few matches of FIFA in (I would say lets play, but I would feel bad beating you).
Point is, don't be afraid to hit the brakes a little bit. As the Black Mamba aka Kobe Bryant just said in his retirement speech: It's not the destination, it's the journey. I really hope you find some of this useful. It's definitely nothing revolutionary. But at the same time, some simple reminders always go a long way to keeping your thoughts focused and making your actions deliberate.
Hope you all have a Happy New Year and I'm wishing all of you much success in 2018.
About Daniel Guzman
Daniel Guzman is a fitness professional, WBFF Pro and donut enthusiast. He has a passion for helping individuals transform their lives. Along with his girlfriend Luisa, he runs the blog Eat . Whey . Love. Their mission is to provide valuable information to as many people as possible and help them understand that a healthy and fit life is easily attainable.
Connect with Daniel here:
- Blog: Eat . Whey . Love
- Instagram: @_danielguzman_
- YouTube: Daniel Guzman Fitness
- Website: danielguzmanfitness.com
