Your Political Guru

The Secret of Goal Achievement

(Hint – don’t keep it a secret)

I am too damn fat.

I’ve been too fat for a while, but I’ve been putting off dealing with it for way too long. No major health scares or anything – it’s just that I am really ready to change.

I’ve been looking at the tactics of weight loss and it comes down to – eat less, move more.

But the bigger picture is looking at how to achieve your goals. This has some serious tactical implications. Following up on your committed course of action is critical to your success.

Here are some of the tactics I’m putting into effect now:

1) Clear daily focus on the goal – “if you don’t know where you are going you will surly get there.” When I moved to Oklahoma to pass a Right to Work law – I actually bought a pen that I pictured the Governor using to sign it into law. If I started to feel off track, I’d pull it out and refocus on what my goal was. It took nine years to get it done, so I needed the focus.

2) Today – not tomorrow. I made the commitment today to start losing weight and already joined a 24 hour gym. Tomorrow will never come.

3) Make a plan – set an end date and write it down. The process of planning helps you see the possible obstacles and prepare for them. I believe in the power of “positive pessimism.” Murphy’s Law is just as true as the Power of Positive Thinking. When I fly I am an outcome optimist. I believe the plane will get me their safely. However I am equally sure that the airlines will lie to me about when we take off and arrive, there will be delays caused by TSA etc. It doesn’t stop me from flying; I just want to be prepared.

4) I know I probably slip, but that’s not a reason to quit. Missiles are off track 99% of the time – it is the little course corrections they make that cause them to hit the target.

5) Make commitment public – don’t keep it to yourself. (That’s why I’m writing today’s article.)

6) Celebrate the wins. Figure out what victory looks like and reward yourself.

I’ll let you know how I’m coming on my goal during the next five months. It is 3 pounds a week for the next 5 months. 60 pounds before pool season. It’s doable and safe weight loss. It’s not easy, it’s a stretch.

(If you’ve won the battle of the bulge, I’d appreciate your tips and encouragement).

Well I’m off to the kitchen – I’ve got some junk food to get rid of.