Goal setting vs. Habit tracking

 Let’s talk about goal setting.  I was never really big on setting long term goals. I’m pretty good about setting some goals for the year. But I’m not your 5 year, 10 year, 20 year goal type of person. In my full time job as an instructional coach, we talk about goals a lot and we use the well known term SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound). This is a great strategy and helps you be more specific and accountable for the goal. 

Then I read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, and this strategy really got me excited. This makes sense to me!  Goal setting is great, but once you achieve that goal, then what. You tell yourself “atta girl you read 85 books this year” and it’s over. Repeating a good habit to actually change who you are, has a lasting affect. “I want to become a reader by reading for 30 minutes each day before bed”.

I’m definitely simplifying the process that James Clear shares in his book, but this paragraph shifted my thinking from goals to a system (habit). 

“For many years, I set specific actionable goals. Each one was a goal to be reached. I set goals for the grades I wanted to get in school, for the weights I wanted to lift in the gym, for the profits I wanted to earn in business. I succeeded at a few, but I failed at a lot of them. Eventually, I began to realize that my results had very little to do with the goals I set and nearly everything to do with the system I followed”. 

Does this sound familiar? 100% me and my goals. 

In 2019 I set a “goal” to run a 5k. (Which I didn’t do until 2020). I should have written that as I want to become a runner. Then these are the questions I could ask myself to develop my system (daily habits). 

“What would a runner do?” Run

“When are you going to run?” 5 days a week

“What time will you run?” I’m going to run after I cook dinner. 

Boom, SYSTEM. 

So let’s talk about 2021, and what type of person you want to be known as. 

“ The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity”~James Clark

When your habit becomes part of your identity and you are proud of it, you will create more habits to maintain that identity. If you are proud of the muscles you have developed, you will continue to make time to workout. 

What habit do you want to become part of your identity?

If someone was sharing about you, what do you want them to say about you?

Do you know Sherry, she’s a great cook. 

Do you know Buddy, he’s an amazing gardener.

Do you know (insert your name), she/he is a ________.

That’s what you will focus on in 2021! 

Then write down 1-3 things you will do to become that person. 

Make a plan for success... I will (New Habit) at (Time) (Place).  

Now you have developed a system to become the person you want to be, but don’t forget to execute your plan and follow through. You can use any type of accountability tracker you like. I created a table to track my habits and reflect at the end of the month. You could add it to your calendar on your phone, in your daily planner, etc, but you need to track it so you can reflect and revise each month. 

“Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continuously edit your beliefs, and upgrade and expand your identity.”~James Clark

For me in 2021:

I want to provide health and fitness support to others. 

I will research recipes and food each weekday morning at 5:00 am. 

I will share on IG STORIES weekday before I drive to work. 

I’m still working on a couple more, but I think I have a pretty good start. 

I would love to hear what type of person you want to focus on being this year. Share in the comments!

I highly suggest reading “Atomic Habits” for a more in-depth explanation.

 Happy New Year!!!

FASTer Way New round starts Jan 4th if you want to create healthy habits, exercise habits, or learn more about Whole Foods and IF, this can be your system! Sign up today!

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/community#Cindyphillips4