Taking control: Now is the time to create an action plan - Editorial - goal-setting - Brief Article

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, Feb-March, 2002 by Joe Weider, Betty Weider

The New Year often brings with it a new set of resolutions. It's no coincidence that after months of having our social calendars dictated by holiday festivities, January's slower pace allows us to re-evaluate what we've accomplished and plan our course of action for the coming year.

Neither is it coincidence that we publish our annual "Inspiring Minds" feature in this first-of-the-year issue. Just when you might need a little extra motivation to regain control of a certain aspect of your life, we offer these stories of physical transformation and enhanced well-being. You can do it, too, staffing today -- what better rime than now to take responsibility for yourself? New York University researchers report in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that when you contrast your fantasies about the future to your present reality, it leads to the necessity to act and achieve the future expectations. They found this not only helps you set goals but makes them stronger and more binding, since your commitment arises from the promise of favorable expectations.

In past issues we've discussed the value of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound) goals. By using this formula, you'll be able to experience many more successes than feelings of failure as you embark on your journey. Write down your goals along with the steps you need to take to obtain them, then refer to that list every other week to see if you're on track. If you're not, adjust them as you see fit, since you'll have more insight than when you first wrote your list. Feeling in control of your life is constant work, but the benefits are innumerable. Identify your weaknesses -- whether emotional or physical -- then set a plan of action to achieve the balance you want.