Every year, millions of people set ambitious goals for themselves, only to fall short as December rolls in. With winter approaching and 2025 around the corner, it's time to reflect: Did you achieve your 2024 goals?
Now chances are you got some of your goals checked off the list, and if so, congrats on a job well done; but many other things are probably piling up on the desk, waiting to be done in the last weeks of the year.
When you’re watching all those fireworks in the sky and counting down for the new year, a clear image of your future self pops inside your mind. It’s great to dream and to create the vision of your future self you’d like to be, and having yearly resolutions sounds great, but you don’t realize the mental trap you’re falling into.
When January starts, you’re thinking you’ve got a full year to get your goals done. A couple of months pass and you still have plenty of time to do it, so you don’t rush. But then, in the blink of an eye, it’s already November once again, and you can feel the yearly deadline fall upon you.
To avoid falling into this endless pit of postponing your goals, here are a couple of things you should consider:
The Execution Gap
Unlike what most people think, most successful people didn’t happen to stumble upon a secret formula for their success. Instead, they are committed to executing their tasks, getting the job done and not postponing what they must do. Execution is the bridge between goals and success. It often requires sacrificing comfort for discipline.
Being comfy on your sofa might be delightful, but if you’re doing it while you should be performing a task that’s begging to be done, then you’re harming yourself in the end. So next time you’re thinking about skipping the gym or not doing a task you need done, ask yourself: Am I doing what needs to be done to be where I want to be?
Remember: comfort today can mean regret tomorrow.
Short Term vs Annual Planning
As I already mentioned before, thinking in terms of yearly planning is a huge mental trap that leads to rushing by the end of the year. A smarter alternative is to plan in the short and middle term by setting weekly and monthly goals and tasks. Think about it: a year-long goal may feel abstract but breaking it down into achievable weekly or monthly tasks transforms it into a roadmap.
This approach not only increases productivity but reduces the stress of last-minute scrambles. With this way of thinking, everyday counts. A great way is to think about what you can achieve in 4, 8 or 12 weeks, and to set up daily tasks and weekly checkups. At the end of every week ask yourself: Did I do all my needed daily tasks? If not, what can I change to get them done?
A good example is setting yourself to do 2 weekly training sessions and checking out by the end of the week if you did them or not.
Accountability
Nothing works without being accountable. If you avoid the responsibility of performing your tasks, then there’s no way this will work out. Maybe you’ve promised yourself a healthier lifestyle but struggled to stay on track. Regular check-ins can make the difference between giving up and persevering. You can always ask for help to professionals if you need it, such as our team at Battleground Training.
One of the key aspects of accountability is to not stop complying when you’ve done wrong. Most people give up the moment they find an obstacle, so when setbacks happen (and they will), remember: accountability isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency.
Getting a Plan in Action
With all this said, whip out a piece of paper and start writing your short- and medium-term goals. Envision what you can do on a daily and weekly basis and commit to doing what needs to be done. With around 60 days left this year, don’t wait. Start today, and turn your intentions into achievements.
Best of wishes,
Juan
Battleground Training is a health and fitness company based in London. We specialise in 1-on-1 personal training in Chiswick, Hammersmith, Acton, and throughout London. Contact us for more information or to arrange a consultation.