In this section of our website, you will find highlights from selected seminars, including the seminar description and excerpts from the content as it is presented at corporate sites. For additional information, please contact our office.

MAKING RESOLUTIONS VERSUS SETTING SPECIFIC, ATTAINABLE GOALS:
“HOW’S THAT WORKING FOR YOU?”

THE SEMINAR:  Goal Setting for Success

THE SEMINAR DESCRIPTION:

Most people are unaware of the influence of carefully considered and constructed goals in their overall health, success, and satisfaction in life.  If you are struggling to make dietary changes, get organized, give up a bad habit, or stick with an exercise program, this seminar is for you!  Learn the basics of effective goal setting, determine the necessary behavior changes, and find ways to track your progress.  Topics include elements of effective lifestyle goals, putting specific goals in writing, dealing with potential barriers, finding support, and staying motivated.

THE CONTENT:  TIPS for SETTING and ACHIEVING PERSONAL GOALS

If you are once again making New Years Resolutions that will likely be forgotten within a month or two, you are not alone!  It is not difficult to embark on an exercise program or make temporary changes in eating habits or other behaviors.  However, staying motivated and integrating new habits into permanent lifestyle changes can be very difficult.  A critical step in getting to where you want to be is setting the right goals in the right way.  Set yourself up for success rather than failure by utilizing some of the tips listed below:

Begin with a realistic self-appraisal.  Know where you are and where you’re headed.  Confidence, plus a realistic self-appraisal, produces a 30% increase in life satisfaction.

Put goals in writing.  Fewer than 3% of people have written goals.  Of those who do write them, 46% follow through.  Of those who do not, only 4% do so.  Be among the select few!

Assign a date for completion of your goal.  Open-ended goals are rarely achieved.  Set a specific, reasonable date for completion.

Be specific. Identify the precise activities that will get you where you’re going.  Outline all the steps involved.

Identify and utilize the resources you need.  What knowledge, tools, skills, or people will help you attain your goals?  Put everything you need in place.

Take action.  Become a shark; keep moving forward.  Do something goal oriented each day. “You don’t need to do everything today, just do something every day.”

Do things in sequence.  Take care of first things first.  Avoid skipping steps.  Ask yourself, “What’s the next right thing?”

Visualize each goal as a reality.  Create a “mental equivalent” of what you want.  Constantly see yourself as having achieved the goal.

Identify and remove the obstacles to attaining your goals.  Avoid letting predictable roadblocks get in your way.  Let nothing deter you.

Accept complete responsibility for attaining your goals.  Blaming fate or other people is not the answer!

Build in rewards for progress.  Treat yourself, but do it in the right ways.  Reconsider that hot fudge sundae as a reward for losing five pounds.

Continually look forward.  The past is history.  Your current pattern of behavior is far more important in predicting success.

Seek and heed feedback.  Learn to listen to suggestions and constructive criticism carefully. 

Connect with someone whose behavior you admire.  Stick with the winners!  Learn from those who are successful.  Emulate their behaviors.
 
Develop a plan for dealing with setbacks.  Get right back on that horse!

State each goal in a present-tense, affirming manner.  Say, for example, “I am a person who exercises regularly,” or “I am not in the habit of procrastinating.”

Review and rewrite goals regularly.  Modify and carry goals over, with new dates assigned, on a regular basis.