Meet Your Goals: 4 Tips to Be Healthier, Happier and More Productive


 Posted by Samantha Clayton, AFAA, ISSA – Vice President, Worldwide Sports Performance and Fitness  0 Comment

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Set your goals to win in life.

 Here are some helpful tips to help you set positive goals that’ll help you become healthier and more productive. Simply focusing on a few basic things can help you think more clearly and meet your personal goals.

This way of thinking has worked wonders for me. My mantra for challenges in life is ‘when in doubt, think like an athlete.’ So, whether you need to exercise more or just generally up your game in life, you may benefit from my helpful tips. They can not only improve your health and fitness, but you can also apply them to any goals that you can imagine.

  1. Ask yourself WHY? Then write it down

Be honest with yourself about why you want to improve. In my experience, once you put it down on paper, it becomes real.

  • Do you need to get fit? Why?
  • Do you need an energy boost? Why?
  • Do you have extra pounds to lose? Why?
  • Or, do you want to compete at a higher level? Why?

The reason you give will help you understand HOW you can best meet your goals. For example, if you put down that you need to get fit because you want to have more energy to play with your kids, then it makes sense to build up your activity levels by involving your children. You could race with them or work out on the sidelines while they’re absorbed in an activity they love. That way you’re meeting your goal of becoming fit and doing something that will make you happier.

  1. Set a GOAL and make a plan

Many people find that once they have a specific goal to strive toward, it motivates them to get started. Begin with something achievable and make sure your goal is tangible. Deciding to ‘get fit’ is pretty abstract, so try to quantify what you want to do. Maybe you want to walk outside for at least 10 minutes every day or you want to be fit enough to take part in a five-mile jog in three months’ time. Think about what you can do and what you will do to become more active.

  1. SHARE your goal

Tell people about your goal, and they can help you stay on track. If you share your plans with a loved one, friend or co-worker, they can help you by holding you accountable. Making a verbal commitment can also help boost your motivation. Once you have verbally made a commitment to improve yourself, the added pressure of someone asking you about it may push you to succeed. This will help motivate you on the days you are tired or trying to find an excuse to quit.

  1. PLAN for success instead of failure

Don’t self-sabotage. If you hate running, then putting running into your plan will sabotage your efforts before you even start. Yes, running is good for you, but if it brings back terrible memories of childhood gym class or cross-country races, then chances are you’ll suddenly find an old closet to clean out instead!

Make a smart plan by picking an activity you enjoy. With so many physical activities to choose from, I’m sure you’ll find something that you can look forward to each week.

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Find your WHY, write your GOAL down, SHARE your goal, make a PLAN, and head toward success in all that you do.

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Samantha Clayton is responsible for all activities relating to exercise and fitness education for Independent Herbalife Members and employees. Through in-person training sessions, educational tools and materials, and her blog (www.discovergoodfitness.com), she ensures that the important role of exercise as part of a healthy, active life is understood by all. She also helps create, organize and promote employee fitness programs and activities as an integral part of the company’s corporate wellness program. A native of Liverpool, England, Samantha initially worked as a consultant for Herbalife for two years and led the Herbalife24-Fit program, the company’s first comprehensive fitness training program and DVD series. Before joining the corporate ranks, Samantha was a professional athlete. She represented Great Britain in the 2000 Sydney Olympics in both the 200m and the 4x100m relay events. Prior to the Olympics, she won two medals in the Olympic AAA trials – a silver medal for the 200m and a bronze for the 100m – as well as a silver medal in the 4x100m relay during the European Junior Championships in 1997. Her personal records include 11.40 seconds in the 100m and 23.02 seconds in the 200m. Samantha is a personal trainer and group exercise coach through the American Fitness and Aerobics Association (AFAA) and International Sport Science Association (ISSA).