Wow, where did January go?
Okay, all the goals you wrote down in December need to be reviewed again. The start of a new month is an opportunity to do a gut check and look at what you "said" you were going to do and what you've actually "done" in the new year. Are you making the progress you expected to make so far?
I say this as a coach who is encouraging you to take action on those things you see as important. We all need a gentle push sometimes. Getting stuck in old habits isn't easy to move from, but you and I both know that it CAN be done. February is Fresh Start month!
IF you need a little encouragement, feel welcome to email me at neilwoody1@me.com
Think of how proud you will be when you follow through on the 3 most important goals you have. You Can Do It!
Remember, read or listen to something positive and encouraging every morning, then do the same at night. Share time with people with a great attitude, energy and passion. Follow your heart. This is going to be YOUR year of success!
So now, get going....
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Monday, February 1, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
What are You looking forward to?
One of the best ways I have found to remain "fired-up" is to have something exciting to look forward to. Maybe it's a vacation, or the completion of a major project and the reward that follows. Having that "something" makes every moment so worthwhile! It provides that wonderful passion and natural enthusiasm.
A friend in Scottsdale is preparing to run her first New York City marathon. During a recent training run with her, she was so excited that her feet barely touched the ground. She was flying along the running trail with a cheerful smile on her face as she talked about the excitement of running this race with her friend. Goals are those things we look forward to accomplishing. She enjoys her daily training run with enthusiasm and passion as she visualizes crossing the finish line in Central Park. She's going to accomplish her goal and there is no doubt about that! Rachel is looking forward to wearing that finisher's medal!
Many of us set goals for 2010. Do you look at them daily, as a reminder to stay on track?
Remember the Law of Attraction. We tend to attract people and things into our life, by visualizing what we "Want" to happen. So as you look forward to the successful accomplishment of your goal, be aware of the resources you attract into your life.
We are nearly finished with the first month of the new year. I hope you are as excited about 2010 as you were in December. I tell myself daily that The Best is Yet to Come!
If you have something exciting to look forward to - good for you. Now help someone else get back on track. We continue to pay if forward and look forward!
Always Optimistic ~
Neil
A friend in Scottsdale is preparing to run her first New York City marathon. During a recent training run with her, she was so excited that her feet barely touched the ground. She was flying along the running trail with a cheerful smile on her face as she talked about the excitement of running this race with her friend. Goals are those things we look forward to accomplishing. She enjoys her daily training run with enthusiasm and passion as she visualizes crossing the finish line in Central Park. She's going to accomplish her goal and there is no doubt about that! Rachel is looking forward to wearing that finisher's medal!
Many of us set goals for 2010. Do you look at them daily, as a reminder to stay on track?
Remember the Law of Attraction. We tend to attract people and things into our life, by visualizing what we "Want" to happen. So as you look forward to the successful accomplishment of your goal, be aware of the resources you attract into your life.
We are nearly finished with the first month of the new year. I hope you are as excited about 2010 as you were in December. I tell myself daily that The Best is Yet to Come!
If you have something exciting to look forward to - good for you. Now help someone else get back on track. We continue to pay if forward and look forward!
Always Optimistic ~
Neil
Friday, January 1, 2010
Top 8 Excuses NOT to workout and an Optimist's solution
Excuse #1. "I'm just too busy!" Really? Keep a daily journal per hour of your activities. How much time do you spend: watching TV new or sitcoms? Reading the newspaper? Laying in bed after you are wide awake? I will bet you can carve 30 minutes if not 1 1/2 hours from those activities alone. Exercise will give you energy, help you be more productive and make you feel better about yourself. Those other activities will NOT do anything positive for you or for your fitness level. Best use of your time??
Excuse #2. "I tried exercising last year - but quit after 3 weeks." C'mon, that was last year. If you exercise every day for 30 days ~ it will become a habit....a very good habit. The past does not predict the future. Get off your buns and do Something!
Excuse #3. "It's just too cold, or too hot, or too dark, or too rainy!" Join a gym or fitness center and you'll be surrounded by others who have a mission to get fit. The weather is Always good at a fitness center. The energy and encouragement is contagious!
Excuse #4. "I've had this nagging back, or hip, or foot for years now. So I can't exercise."
Go see a doctor and get repaired. "for years" is too long. Take care of the problem and get on with your life. IF you Don't take care of this now - how do you think you'll feel in 5, 10 or 15 years?
Excuse #5. "I don't have anyone to exercise with." Walk on your own with a Friendly ipod and the time will fly by. Or, find a friend who is as committed as you are to finally get in shape. If you can't ~ then read #3 again.
Excuse #6. "I'll start in the Spring." Really? Why wait four months? If you start now, you'll be in much better shape, have more energy and feel better in 8 weeks. Then in the Spring, you can run/walk your first 5 kilometer race. (that's 3.1 miles) Now you have a goal!
Excuse #7. "My family is big-boned so I have to just accept the shape I'm in."
Your bones account for only 20% of your weight so....
It's not the bones that are causing the excessive weight and physical hassles - it's all the junk that has built up around them. You don't have to have bad habits just because your family does. Your life and health are Your responsibility. If you burn more calories than you consume then you will gradually get into better shape.
Excuse #8. "I work too much or travel too much - so I don't have time to workout."
You can always make time for 30 minutes of activity. Walking is easy....even on the treadmill at the hotel. Get up earlier, get to bed earlier, turn the TV off and get off your buns! ALWAYS pack or travel in your walking or running shoes. They take up little space in your luggage. And if you keep the exercise program going for 30 days, you'll take up less space in the airplane seat.
I know several people at our OpenDoors yoga studio who lost 100 pounds in the last couple of years - through exercise and slight food consumption changes. Find stories of people who made positive changes in their life and fitness ~ then just copy their recipe for success.
In 25 years, I have Coached many people to get into the best shape of their life ~ so I know you can do it. Remember, when you find a strong enough reason (a WHY) then you will find a HOW!
Happy New Year! Design a great and successful one for you!
Excuse #2. "I tried exercising last year - but quit after 3 weeks." C'mon, that was last year. If you exercise every day for 30 days ~ it will become a habit....a very good habit. The past does not predict the future. Get off your buns and do Something!
Excuse #3. "It's just too cold, or too hot, or too dark, or too rainy!" Join a gym or fitness center and you'll be surrounded by others who have a mission to get fit. The weather is Always good at a fitness center. The energy and encouragement is contagious!
Excuse #4. "I've had this nagging back, or hip, or foot for years now. So I can't exercise."
Go see a doctor and get repaired. "for years" is too long. Take care of the problem and get on with your life. IF you Don't take care of this now - how do you think you'll feel in 5, 10 or 15 years?
Excuse #5. "I don't have anyone to exercise with." Walk on your own with a Friendly ipod and the time will fly by. Or, find a friend who is as committed as you are to finally get in shape. If you can't ~ then read #3 again.
Excuse #6. "I'll start in the Spring." Really? Why wait four months? If you start now, you'll be in much better shape, have more energy and feel better in 8 weeks. Then in the Spring, you can run/walk your first 5 kilometer race. (that's 3.1 miles) Now you have a goal!
Excuse #7. "My family is big-boned so I have to just accept the shape I'm in."
Your bones account for only 20% of your weight so....
It's not the bones that are causing the excessive weight and physical hassles - it's all the junk that has built up around them. You don't have to have bad habits just because your family does. Your life and health are Your responsibility. If you burn more calories than you consume then you will gradually get into better shape.
Excuse #8. "I work too much or travel too much - so I don't have time to workout."
You can always make time for 30 minutes of activity. Walking is easy....even on the treadmill at the hotel. Get up earlier, get to bed earlier, turn the TV off and get off your buns! ALWAYS pack or travel in your walking or running shoes. They take up little space in your luggage. And if you keep the exercise program going for 30 days, you'll take up less space in the airplane seat.
I know several people at our OpenDoors yoga studio who lost 100 pounds in the last couple of years - through exercise and slight food consumption changes. Find stories of people who made positive changes in their life and fitness ~ then just copy their recipe for success.
In 25 years, I have Coached many people to get into the best shape of their life ~ so I know you can do it. Remember, when you find a strong enough reason (a WHY) then you will find a HOW!
Happy New Year! Design a great and successful one for you!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Lessons learned in 2009
I know that 2010 is just 3 days away ~ but before we blast into the New Year with great excitement, I have a question for you. What were the best parts and lessons of 2009?
Some people I have spoken with have written off the entire year as a catastrophe. I know a lot of folks felt a LOT of pain and despair - but I'd find it hard to believe that nothing positive happened in their life this year. I guess it depends on what you want to focus your energy on. Call me an optimist - but if I had to shovel through a room of manure looking for the pony in there ~ I'll do it!
Just to get this conversation going, I'll share some of the best parts and lessons for me.
I do hope YOU will share at least One thing that's not too personal ~ or share that with me on my private email. :)
One of my many goals was to be listed at the top of Google when my name was typed into the search box. In January, I was listed on page 3. Thanks to Mark Lewis and Paul Castain who have taught me more about blogging, social media, keywords and how to be more active on my website - my name and company is listed first whenever my name is searched.
Although you may not be surprised, there a Lot of Neil Wood people out there - from world class surfers to soccer stars. I wanted to be listed first so that my positive messages, iTunes and YouTube programs could be easily found and subsequently give people hope to persevere! All of these are free ~ as my mission to be a Beacon of Hope.
Another goal was to workout at least 1 hour every day for 365 days. Mission accomplished and despite the horrendous economy ~ I'm in excellent physical shape. That's important to me because it keeps my mind fresh, attitude positive, energy level at a 10 on most days and it does wonders for confidence and self-esteem. I've also had a lot of fun working out and meeting new people.
I'm not going to bore you with what I wanted to accomplish~ but I'm proud about all the progress I made. I will tell you that I did NOT accomplish everything I wanted to. That's life! I gave it my best but the economy and budget cuts were out of my control. C'est la vie. When I look at all I did accomplish, it gives me momentum as we wrap this year up and surge into the new decade.
I do hope you will share even ONE meaningful highlight from 2009.
Until the next post ~ remain optimistic and have as much fun as possible!
Optimistically yours ~
Neil
Some people I have spoken with have written off the entire year as a catastrophe. I know a lot of folks felt a LOT of pain and despair - but I'd find it hard to believe that nothing positive happened in their life this year. I guess it depends on what you want to focus your energy on. Call me an optimist - but if I had to shovel through a room of manure looking for the pony in there ~ I'll do it!
Just to get this conversation going, I'll share some of the best parts and lessons for me.
I do hope YOU will share at least One thing that's not too personal ~ or share that with me on my private email. :)
One of my many goals was to be listed at the top of Google when my name was typed into the search box. In January, I was listed on page 3. Thanks to Mark Lewis and Paul Castain who have taught me more about blogging, social media, keywords and how to be more active on my website - my name and company is listed first whenever my name is searched.
Although you may not be surprised, there a Lot of Neil Wood people out there - from world class surfers to soccer stars. I wanted to be listed first so that my positive messages, iTunes and YouTube programs could be easily found and subsequently give people hope to persevere! All of these are free ~ as my mission to be a Beacon of Hope.
Another goal was to workout at least 1 hour every day for 365 days. Mission accomplished and despite the horrendous economy ~ I'm in excellent physical shape. That's important to me because it keeps my mind fresh, attitude positive, energy level at a 10 on most days and it does wonders for confidence and self-esteem. I've also had a lot of fun working out and meeting new people.
I'm not going to bore you with what I wanted to accomplish~ but I'm proud about all the progress I made. I will tell you that I did NOT accomplish everything I wanted to. That's life! I gave it my best but the economy and budget cuts were out of my control. C'est la vie. When I look at all I did accomplish, it gives me momentum as we wrap this year up and surge into the new decade.
I do hope you will share even ONE meaningful highlight from 2009.
Until the next post ~ remain optimistic and have as much fun as possible!
Optimistically yours ~
Neil
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Setting Goals the SMART way!
One of my friends sent a note on Facebook and asked me to share a few ideas on setting goals. So, I'll share an abbreviated version of my 90 minute Goals program. The mnemonic I have used for 25 years is SMART
1. S - Specific. Your goal(s) must be specific. Saying you want earn more, or be happier or lose some weight is too vague. Specifically how much do you want to earn this year? How much weight do you want to lose and by what date? "Some money or some weight is not specific. Once you have a specific goal, write it down on paper.
When I listened to Zig Ziglar's cassette on how to set goals (1977) I set two specific goals immediately. I wanted to lose 30 pounds and be able to run 6 miles without stopping. 6 months later ~ I accomplished both goals.
2. M - Measurable. Your progress must be measurable so that you can stay on track and feel good about the success you are having along the way. Create a "flight-plan" which notes where you are now, how you will get to your goal and estimated time of arrival.
When I flew from Boston to Denver last week, the pilot gave us periodic updates so we knew where we were and how close to our goal we were getting. As You reach these measurable points, give yourself a meaningful reward. We all know that Positive reinforcement goes a long way.
3. A - Attainable. You all know that I am an Optimist. I'm also a "Realist" ~ just so you know. My 15 year-old son came into the house with exciting news. He was going to enter a 150 mile bike race to help raise money for cancer. "Great!" I said. Since he doesn't ride his bike at all, I asked how many months he was going to train. "Oh, the race is in 5 days." he said. He never entered. When I gave myself 6 months to reach my goals - that was attainable, measurable and specific.
You DO want to set what I call "stretch" goals to keep you excited - and they should be attainable. Don't fall victim to "Happy Hope" and "Someday Isle" like many do.
4. R - Relevant. Your goal MUST be important to you. Write the reasons WHY you want to reach your goal(s). What will this success do for you?
One of my favorite coaching clients wanted to lose 60 pounds so that she could have more energy, sleep 6 hours instead of 10, fit into her size 4 pants again, (before she became overweight) -and she wanted to look more fit for the upcoming reunion with her college friends. Those goals were Very important and Relevant - and she accomplished her goals and feels like she's 26 again!
5. T - Time specific I've referred to this several times in this blog. Setting a specific date is Critical to going after your goals with passion. There's Nothing like a sense of urgency to help us get projects done. When I want to redecorate and clean my home - I just organize a big party about 4 weeks away. It's amazing what I can get done when I have a goal-line. (notice I don't call it a "dead-line")
So set a specific date to complete your goal by.
Finally, have a reward picked out when you reach your goal. Treat yourself. Maybe it's a weekend in Boca Raton or a flight to San Diego or dinner at your favorite restaurant.
Reward yourself for your discipline and success. Then, set more goals of course.
Reaching worthwhile goals has wonderful benefits. You will have increased confidence, self-esteem, pride and Optimism. Everyone I know who reaches goals regularly - is very optimistic and excited about LIFE and the incredible opportunities.
Be SMART and pursue your Goals with Passion!
1. S - Specific. Your goal(s) must be specific. Saying you want earn more, or be happier or lose some weight is too vague. Specifically how much do you want to earn this year? How much weight do you want to lose and by what date? "Some money or some weight is not specific. Once you have a specific goal, write it down on paper.
When I listened to Zig Ziglar's cassette on how to set goals (1977) I set two specific goals immediately. I wanted to lose 30 pounds and be able to run 6 miles without stopping. 6 months later ~ I accomplished both goals.
2. M - Measurable. Your progress must be measurable so that you can stay on track and feel good about the success you are having along the way. Create a "flight-plan" which notes where you are now, how you will get to your goal and estimated time of arrival.
When I flew from Boston to Denver last week, the pilot gave us periodic updates so we knew where we were and how close to our goal we were getting. As You reach these measurable points, give yourself a meaningful reward. We all know that Positive reinforcement goes a long way.
3. A - Attainable. You all know that I am an Optimist. I'm also a "Realist" ~ just so you know. My 15 year-old son came into the house with exciting news. He was going to enter a 150 mile bike race to help raise money for cancer. "Great!" I said. Since he doesn't ride his bike at all, I asked how many months he was going to train. "Oh, the race is in 5 days." he said. He never entered. When I gave myself 6 months to reach my goals - that was attainable, measurable and specific.
You DO want to set what I call "stretch" goals to keep you excited - and they should be attainable. Don't fall victim to "Happy Hope" and "Someday Isle" like many do.
4. R - Relevant. Your goal MUST be important to you. Write the reasons WHY you want to reach your goal(s). What will this success do for you?
One of my favorite coaching clients wanted to lose 60 pounds so that she could have more energy, sleep 6 hours instead of 10, fit into her size 4 pants again, (before she became overweight) -and she wanted to look more fit for the upcoming reunion with her college friends. Those goals were Very important and Relevant - and she accomplished her goals and feels like she's 26 again!
5. T - Time specific I've referred to this several times in this blog. Setting a specific date is Critical to going after your goals with passion. There's Nothing like a sense of urgency to help us get projects done. When I want to redecorate and clean my home - I just organize a big party about 4 weeks away. It's amazing what I can get done when I have a goal-line. (notice I don't call it a "dead-line")
So set a specific date to complete your goal by.
Finally, have a reward picked out when you reach your goal. Treat yourself. Maybe it's a weekend in Boca Raton or a flight to San Diego or dinner at your favorite restaurant.
Reward yourself for your discipline and success. Then, set more goals of course.
Reaching worthwhile goals has wonderful benefits. You will have increased confidence, self-esteem, pride and Optimism. Everyone I know who reaches goals regularly - is very optimistic and excited about LIFE and the incredible opportunities.
Be SMART and pursue your Goals with Passion!
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