In 3 Months

In 3 months, where would you like to be in regards to what you want in life, aka your goals? That is the question that has been posed to me this week. "Where do I want to be in 3 months? There's a reason for the 3-month time frame. Both Google and Olympic athletes set 3 month goals and use backward planning for the goals that they have set. Yes they do set longer term goals, however a longer time frame is too long for the mind to comprehend and also does not account for the trajectory of momentum. A year-long goal can be broken down into 3-month portions thereby taking into account momentum and the not-so-much. Here's another factor both Google and Olympians use: success is not 100% achievement of that goal, it's 65% which aims for excellence, not perfection. Here's the thing:  the goals they set are high so even attaining 65% one has to stretch, grow, and do some changing.

Here's how the backward planning works. What do you want to accomplish at the end of 3 months setting the goal high enough to have the eeek factor. Now, what do you have to do to get that goal? What do you have to do to accomplish that or how are you going to get here? What's the daily or weekly routine? Here's an example that I'm mulling around in my brain. Let's say that in 3 months I want to be able to run 5K. In order to get there I have to test my endurance (example treadmill) for various distances. To do that my training must include a higher intensity portion as well as stretching as well as ample rest and recovery. My weekly routine consists of classes,Rushfit workouts, focused kick, form, and curriculum time slots plus rest days. My daily routine consists of proper diet, hydration, supplementation, sleep, and downtime.

There is also a format to the goal as well: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely (SMART). I'll use my 5K goal as an example.

• Specific: To run 5K without slumping into a heap
• Measurable (distance, time, earnings, etc): 5K
• Attainable: yeah, I can do it
• Realistic: It's a stretch and I feel I can. (note one does not need to know the "how")
• Timely: April 31, 2014 (I factored in time I will be on vacation and in courses)

When I look at my goal, there is a question that I ask myself: am I willing to give it my best?

• Am I willing to be that person to achieve that goal?
• Am I willing to have the life of that person to achieve that goal?
• Am I willing to take the bold and direct actions of that person so I can achieve my goal?

Of course I expect to slam up against my stuff and have to face squarely and change my subconscious programming and habits in order to get where I want to go. That's why I'm in the courses and programs I am in and have a team of support coaches who tell me what I need to hear in order help me face squarely what I need to face so that I can move on as a person and as an artist. Let the progress begin.
Sherri Donohue
My Blog