The Beginners Guide to Well-Being: How To Set Goals You Actually Hit!

Ladies, I get it. Learning how to live a well-balanced, productive, fulfilling life with an abundance of Queen energy is a job in itself.  I’ve weathered the storms of figuring out what to eat while I’m starving, figuring out which workout actually works for me, and staring I’m at myself in the mirror crying like no other. I get it. However, one thing I can say is that when you are looking back on your journey from a future vantage point you’ll see that it was always a job worth working. 

Still, there is that daunting question… “Where do I even start?”

Don’t worry, I’ve got just the strategy you need to make your wellness journey so much easier, much more rewarding, and dare I say it… pleasant!

The first thing to realize is that whatever you may have seen or heard or told to do could very well be a lie. Yep. I said it! Liesssss. Well, let me explain. The problem with advice is that it is usually filtered through someone else thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. That advice may be well-meant but it could be detrimental to your goals. The advice may have even “worked for them” which is what a lot of non-licensed or non-certified people may say (no shade... but...). The problem with that is the fact that the advice isn’t tailored to you and it may even limit what you are capable of. But don’t get me wrong. Some advice can be helpful but all advice comes with a warning label. 

This leads me to my first tip: Figure out your wellness path. 

You are the only one that can say what truly works for you. Figuring out what works for your goals (and your weaknesses) is the most important part of this process. You have to have a vision. I will never forget a mentor of mine drilling that into my head. From a vision, you can set goals and create a plan to meet those goals and achieve that vision. It’s a rule of life. 

So, how do you create your vision, set goals, and implement an action plan? Start by asking yourself these questions…

1. What do I want to feel and see when I look at myself in the mirror?

2. What insecurities do I have about my body? 

3. What are my weaknesses when it comes to food, moving my body, my self-talk, and my willpower?

4. Am I harboring any insecurities, thoughts, or beliefs imposed on me by other people?

5. What have I tried in the past that worked for me?

6. What have I given up on when I tried it?

7. Did I do everything in my power to hit my goal?

These questions are meant to get the wheels turning about what it is that you actually want for your life. The answers you get from this little “self-interview” session will help you identify the individual aspects of your journey that will serve your ultimate happiness. Use your vision to plan out the goals (or milestones) you want to use as benchmarks to track your physical, nutritional, mental, and spiritual progress. Yes, spiritual, this is very much spiritual in that you are challenging beliefs, changing yourself on many levels, and strengthening the relationship you have with yourself, girl! But I digress… 

Let’s get your action plan ready! 

Okay, so you know what you want and where you are going. Now, how do you get there?

Let’s say you have a vision of being able to fit into your favorite dress again. You want a sleek curvy silhouette with a small tapered waist and legs for days. Got the vision? Now, give yourself a date to get to that goal. Write it out, make it plain, and attach it to something meaningful, like a vacation, wedding, or birthday celebration. 

I want to fit back into my size 6 little pink dress for my 35th birthday celebration in 3 months. 

Okay, from that vision you set your goals drawing on previous experiences that worked for you and implementing new techniques that you can stick to (a la the self-interview). Then, work backward from that date to set your goals or milestones. Practice with the template below for the proposed birthday goal! What would you do?

Month one - goal...

Month two - goal...

Month three - goal...

Each of these phases is focused on meeting that phase’s agenda until your efforts accumulate and you ultimately hit your vision! 

This approach is a simple yet effective way to meet your goals and achieve your ultimate vision. So support your own efforts by setting yourself up for success. Make sure your environment, what you feed yourself spiritually (physically, mentally, and nutritionally), and choose your support system wisely. Don’t underestimate the power of a few good friends and a morning prayer call! Your support system and your environment could be the very thing that keeps you from quitting. I’ve seen it happen. 

And one last thing… Celebrate yourself and your progress every step of the way. Changing anything in your life is not easy but it’s well worth it. Make a big deal of even your smallest wins. This allows your brain to associate your efforts with winning and the more you win, the more you change your views and opinions about yourself, the better your relationship with yourself becomes. You’ll start to believe in yourself more and that translates to other parts of your life. Pretty soon you’ll notice a beautiful ripple effect that spans across your life. 

So, sis, it’s time to get started! Now that you know where to start you can make a plan and stick to it. Give yourself some time, space, and grace because you’ll need in on your journey. And if you need help, get it! There are lots of resources, coaching, and content that can help you prepare. I’m rooting for you!