OK, the month of resolutions is finally over. Hurray! Hate it. Making resolutions in January never really works especially fitness and weight loss resolutions.

We should change the month in which we make resolutions to April.
How about, we switch New Years and April Fools Day. Warm weather equals more exercise and more likely fitness and weight loss success. 

Anyway, let’s get down to work. Make one small goal, set it (like walk 100 miles in three months) and go forward with the related small actions to complete goal. Then repeat the process of taking that one small action. (like walk 4-5 days a week) Repeat, over and over again until the goal is met. Congratulations! Set new small goal and achieve by taking the same action but this time with a little larger action.

I like the prospective given by ScottHYoung.com:

“Goal-setting has its strengths and weaknesses. They can give you immense clarity and focus when you are lost and confused. They can push you to grow when you might otherwise think of turning back.”

OnlineOrganizing.com has some of the usual ideas:

“Planning out my goal, setting it at a reasonable time frame and being realistic about it is the best way to ensure my success.  What do you need to do to set and achieve your goal?”

• Your goal: Start out small and with something that is actually attainable.  Not only will it help with your self-esteem it will get you into the habit of being successful.
• Planning: How do you plan on going about your goal?  In our marathon example, the best way to plan for the run is to plan it out for a year or so, set up an exercise routine and train.
• Set milestones and reward yourself:  This is the best kind of self encouragement you can get!  By using mini-goals or milestones with your main goal you will find it’s easier to attain and a heck of a lot more rewarding than working your fanny off and not seeing any results. 
• Be proud:  Now, I don’t have any problem in this arena.  If I do something even remotely noteworthy I am patting myself on the back, telling everyone I know and shouting from the rooftops!  So should you!  If you did something that you have been working hard for, don’t let it go unnoticed.  Tell people!  Be excited, throw yourself a party, do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better!

Lifehacker delivering unusual ideas to goal setting through their wit and twist (read completely for the laugh or not):

“Making achievable goals shouldn’t feel like buying art. Reviewing your list of goals should feel more like learning to paint with your hands than walking through a gallery of masterpieces. You should be constantly editing, rewording, removing, and adding goals from your list. Building momentum and confidence is the secret to making achievable goals.”

Goals should be simple thus achievable. And the action necessary to achieve the goal should be simple too. Step by step.

MikeZ – “walking to my goal”

Which is to get fit by walking for five years – 6000 miles.