Eumundi Voice - Issue 109, 23 January 2025

HEALTH

Goal setting for long-term success

As an experienced coach, one of the most common challenges I encounter is helping clients maintain consistent motivation. A highly effective tool for overcoming this hurdle is goal setting. Goals provide structure, accountability and a clear path forward. They should be realistic and achievable in the short term but also include long-term aspirations to sustain motivation and encourage lasting lifestyle changes.

Short-term goals are immediate, achievable objectives that you can easily envision and accomplish without feeling overwhelmed. These goals provide quick wins, boost confidence and maintain interest. Setting short-term goals will help to keep you engaged and on track. Examples include dropping a dress size, increasing strength in specific exercises, reaching a target weight or running a set distance.

Medium-term goals are more ambitious but still attainable within a 6-12 month timeframe. These objectives often involve personal growth or skill development and require consistent effort. Examples include completing a fun run or half marathon; achieving significant mental health improvements; gaining confidence to pursue a career change; learning a new sport or swimming a specific distance or building a “beach body.”

Breaking these goals into smaller milestones

will help you remain motivated and gain a sense of accomplishment along the way. Mediumterm goals also help establish new habits and mindsets, paving the way for long-term change.

Long-term goals often represent big dreams and can take years to achieve. They require a series of incremental steps, starting with short-term and medium-term goals. For example, training progressively to run a 10km, then a half marathon, and eventually a full marathon. These goals will help to keep you focused on the bigger picture and provide a constant source of inspiration. While weight loss may often accompany these goals, the ultimate reward is achieving something that once seemed unattainable.

Goal setting doesn’t always have to revolve around weight loss. By focusing on what truly inspires and excites you, you can achieve a lifelong aspiration, one step at a time.