There are now endless examples about people accomplishing all sorts of things through the power of goal setting. Sports stars and business people practice goalsetting all the time. Now it’s your turn. The following article has been adapted from a 2012 blog by Michael Lemire and appeared on Hubspot. It was edited in 2014. And while it’s smart to articulate your goals, it’s also wise to set "behavior" goals. It’s the consistently on-target behavior that helps capture the results you’re after.

“Be S.M.A.R.T.

Goals are great -- they help us prove how effective we are, keep us focused, and push us to be better. But goals are useless if they're not grounded in reality. That's why it's critical to set SMART goals. Here's what we mean by setting a SMART goal:

• Specific -- Set real numbers with real deadlines. Don't say, "I want to lose weight." It’s much more effective to say, “I want to lose 10 pounds by a certain date.”
• Measurable -- Make sure that you can track your goal.
• Attainable -- Work toward a goal that is challenging but possible. Don't try to take over the world in a couple workouts.
• Realistic -- Be honest with yourself, because you know what you are capable of. Don't forget about the hurdles you may have to overcome.
• Time bound -- Give yourself a deadline."

First write down a summary of what your goals are. Goals are not always clear, so this may be harder than it seems -- but forcing yourself to write them down lends clarity that you'll find very helpful.”

“Categorize

You may have a goal of working out more often or for working out for longer periods of time. Maybe your goal is to lose weight or improve muscle tone. Categorize your goal for a sharper focus and better results.”

“Set a Specific Numerical Goal

Now that you've narrowed down your goal and come up with specific numbers and dates for accomplishment, you have a good idea of what you should be working towards.”

“Step 4: Select a Completion Date

A goal is just a dream until you add a deadline. Select the length of time you think it will take to reach your goal. This will help you figure out how aggressive you need to be.”

“Step 5: Commit the Time

Now that you got more aggressive, it's time for a reality check. Of course, we would all love to see huge improvement in short periods of time, but are you able to commit to putting in the hours it takes to achieve your goal?”

“By selecting how many hours a week you can work out, you're setting another smaller goal that helps your dreams become reality. This personal goal is something to be mindful of and work toward reaching every week.”

“Step 6: Be Aware of Potential Obstacles

There are always going to be things that may stop us from reaching our goals. State those now so you're aware of them so you can prevent them from turning into excuses for not reaching your goal. Preparing for the hurdles now will make it that much easier to reach your exercising goals.”

“With a clear goal, a timeline, and an acknowledgement of the challenges, you can start to put together a strategy to create your best year yet. And don't forget one of the most important parts of any goal strategy: Planning the celebration when you reach your goal!”

At Challenge Weighted Workoutwear, it’s our goal to help you reach yours. Visit us at www.Challengeweightedworkoutwear.com to find out how we can help you get the most from your workouts.