You may be inspired by 50 Challenges to set yourself a big goal: to run your first marathon, to cycle your first 50-mile race or to swim a mile. Keeping your eye on your long-term prize is, of course, important if you’re serious about achieving it; but to ensure success, it’s just as important to set yourself smaller milestones to help keep you on track.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING SMALL GOALS IN FITNESS

1. STEPPING STONES 

Setting goals is really important to get you to where you want to be, however, it’s important to make them achievable and not too big; most of my clients set weekly, bi weekly or monthly goals. Sometimes I find that people find setting six-month goals or even a year goal is very overwhelming. It’s easy give up because if you know you’ve got six months to achieve it, chances are you’ll leave it to the last month or so. For example, if your goal is to run 5K or to lose two pounds or lift the next heavier set of dumbbells by the end of two weeks, these kind of achievable goals over a while add up to you achieving your end objective. 

2. BE REALISTIC 

You may want to give yourself an enormous challenge, but the less attainable it is, the less likely you are to achieve it.  The key is to set goals that aren’t too wild; you want to push and stretch yourself, but keeping them achievable will be more motivating than something that’s little more than a pipe dream. 

3. THE POWER OF ACCOUNTABILITY 

Go public about your goals: the more people you tell, the more likely you are to achieve them. You could also ask someone else to keep track for you; you’ll feel more motivated to achieve them and they’ll encourage you along the way.  It could be a friend, but kids are also great at accountability.