Top 10 Goal Setting Tips
Tip 4 - Be SPECIFIC!"

The 4th of my goal setting tips is to be very specific about what it is you want to achieve. This is where you can start to create your VISION of what you want to DO, BE and HAVE in terms of your health and wellness.

Your vision should describe in detail what your destination (your desired goal) looks like, feels like, even sounds like. You don't need to know at this point exactly HOW you are going to get there, yet. The most important thing is to figure out where 'there' is. Once you are clear on WHAT you want, the HOW will take care of itself (believe me it's true!).

"How is this possible?" I hear you cry. "Surely I need a game plan?" Well, yes you do, but that comes later. First get absolutely crystal clear about what you want.

Each of us has a fabulous assistant in life called the subconscious mind. The role of the subconscious mind is to help give us what we need, and it is capable of managing and filtering through millions of bits of information that we simply couldn't cope with at a conscious level (the conscious mind can manage a maximum of 9 bits of information simultaneously).

In terms of goals, the conscious mind is the "Goal-SETTER" and the subconscious mind is the "Goal-GETTER". Your subconscious mind takes everything very literally and if given very clear direction will help you achieve exactly what you want. Hence the reason you need to Be SPECIFIC.

Let me give you an example. If for instance you say:

"I'd like to lose some weight and feel better about myself"

This is positive and yet rather vague. Your subconscious mind may focus on helping you lose 2 or 3 pounds in a week and you will feel pretty pleased about making such a good start on your weight loss journey. And then you find the journey stops there! No more weight loss and you're struggling to maintain your motivation. What happened? Well as far as your subconscious mind was concerned it did it's job - you lost some weight and felt better about yourself. It's also feeling pretty pleased with itself and waiting for further instructions!

Now if you were to be more specific in your goal setting, you could say something like:

"I want to make a steady, healthy weight loss of 2 lbs per week, so that I achieve a weight of 140 lbs by June 10th this year."

Now we're starting to get somewhere! We know what you want to achieve, how much and by when. Yet you can make your goal/vision much more specific than that. What will happen on June 10th? Is it a special occasion? What will you look like? What will you be wearing? What size will your clothes be? How will you be feeling? Who will be with you? What will they say to you? What will you say to yourself? Get the idea? The more detailed information you give your subconscious like this, the more successful you are likely to be.

Here's an exercise to help you clarify your goal by 'Being Specific'...

Goal Setting Exercise: Visualization

It's a really good idea to write down you goals and read them often. This exercise is about going deeper than that though. Your subconscious mind communicates best through the 5 senses (sight, sound, feelings, taste and smell) so adding these sensations to your goals and vision will make them much more powerful.

Find a quiet, comfortable environment where you won't be disturbed. Put on some relaxing music, close your eyes and start to visualize yourself achieving your goal. Use your imagination to start to connect with what it will actually be like when you're there. Ask your subconscious mind to give you images of what your life will be like when you've achieved your health and wellness dream.

What is your ideal vision of your body and your physical health?
What is your ideal emotional state or condition?
What are you able to do as a result of this?
Do you exercise, eat good food, drink plenty of water?
Are you open and relaxed?
Are you full of vitality?
Flexible as well as strong?
How do you look, sound and feel?
Who are you now that you've achieved this?

Allow yourself to really connect with this dream as if it were happening to you right now. Notice how good it feels to be there. This sends a very strong message to your subconscious mind to close the gap between where you currently are today and where you want to be.

You can write down your answers as you go, or you can do the whole exercise first and then write them down. Either way, make sure you capture everything in writing as quickly as possible and read it every day to ensure both your conscious and subconscious minds keep focused on achieving your goal.

Good luck!

I hope you've enjoyed exploring the 4th of my goal setting tips. To explore the others, please click on the links below:

Goal Setting Tips (1) - Have a compelling "WHY?"
Goal Setting Tips (2) - Decide WHAT you want
Goal Setting Tips (3) - Stretch yourself
Goal Setting Tips (5) - Believe it's possible
Goal Setting Tips (6) - Embed your goals
Tip (7) - Chunk it down
Tip (8) - Take action
Tip (9) - Prepare for obstacles
Tip (10)- Be flexible

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