Failure Fixes...

my accountability partner...

Sometimes it is just as important to know what NOT to do versus what to do. As we have just crossed the mark on the first complete month of 2013 lets take a look at what others struggle with so that you can change what you are doing to stay on track to achievement. 

I have been a FITness coach for over 11 years and have noticed quite a few things that will NOT lead to someones success with their FITness results. 



Uninspiring Goals
When most people set goals, they envision a "thing," such as a particular amount of weight (loss or gain), an object (like a new car), or a specific achievement (like writing a book). Unfortunately, most of the time these "things I'm gonna get or do" goals don't appeal to the core of what motivates you, because they miss the point that what you're actually seeking in life and work is the POSITIVE EMOTIONS that you believe those things will produce.

Fix: Rather than envisioning a "thing" as your goal, envision--with all the strength in your imagination--how you will feel when you achieve the goal? What are the reasons WHY you want to achieve the particular goal? That way, you'll be inspired to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

Checkpoints/Check In's
It is easy to be motivated in the beginning. Everyone signs up for the gym. Everyone starts the diet. It is easy to get fired up it is much harder to the keep the fire going. Why? Life happens. Work late, family pressures, you get tired, sore, everyday life will present you with a new set of challenges. Staying focused and motivated is the hardest part when achieving your goals. Simply writing down your goals is not going to make them happen. 

Fix: Create (in advance) checkpoints with your goals. Weekly, monthly and quarterly is a great way to ensure you can spot problems and adjust as needed. Work with a coach to help hold you accountable toward the achievement of your goals. 

Fear of Failure
If you're afraid of failing, you won't take the necessary risks required to achieve your goal. Most of us look at failure as a negative. It can paralyze us towards moving forward. Every time a roadblock comes in front of us we focus on how we can't get it done.

Fix: Decide--right now!--that failure, for you, is a strictly temporary condition. Consider a failure as a honest assessment of where you are at today not tomorrow. The best thing about failure is it can be your teacher. It will prove if you really want 'the goal' bad enough or if you are just all talk. If things don't go the way you'd like, it's only a setback that, at most, delays your eventual success. In other words, accept the fact that you'll sometimes fail, but treat that failure as an unavoidable (yet vital) component in your quest.

Fear of Success
In many ways, this fear is even more debilitating than the fear of failure. We all have a ton more in the tank then we believe is possible. We will only achieve what we think is possible. If the mind conceives the body will achieve. If we think too small of ourselves could we actually be afraid of success??

Fix: Decide that you're going to be happy and grateful today and happy and grateful in the future, no matter what happens. Rather than focus on possible problems, envision how wonderful it would be to be able to help your friends and family achieve THEIR goals. 

Worrying About "Dry Spots"
It's easy to get discouraged when you reach a point at which nothing you do seems to advance you toward your goal. For example, suppose you're trying to master a certain skill (learn a new language, mastering a handstand or performing a pull-up). You make swift progress at first but then, after a while, it seems as if you're not doing any better, or maybe a little worse. Some people use these "plateaus" or "dry spots" as an excuse to give up and therefore fail.

Fix: Whenever you reach a plateau or dry spot, it's time to celebrate rather than give up. A plateau is almost always a sign that you're on the brink of a major breakthrough, if you just have the patience to stick with it and trust that you'll eventually achieve your goal.


Which part are you the best at? Which part do you need the most help with? Sound off in the comments.