Successful people don’t usually struggle with motivation. After all, they’ve proved they’re good at setting goals and getting after them. But if you stay in your comfort zone, motivation can fall away. If that sounds familiar, try setting “stretch goals”.
What are “stretch goals”?
The term stretch goals was first used by a man who knew a thing or two about achieving great things – Jack Welch, CEO of General Electric. Stretch goals refer to goals that are so big, so audacious, that they may even seem impossible to reach in your present circumstances.
And that’s the point. These goals take you out of your comfort zone, because your comfort zone doesn’t contain the resources you need. You are forced to challenge yourself and think outside the box to achieve extraordinary results.
How stretch goals could help you achieve more
My clients are busy, ambitious, accomplished people. Like you, they’re not content with living a so-so life that is “just OK”. They want to perform well and achieve things that are out of the ordinary. For them, life is an adventure to be lived well.
And that’s why I will sometimes suggest the idea of a stretch goal. The majority of people don’t need huge goals, because regular goals are quite enough for them.
But for people like you, ordinary goals can lose their shine (especially when you reach them quickly!)
Stretch goals with health and fitness
Stretch goals in health and fitness are the very thing that will make you “that person” in your circle. The guy who did the Ironman triathlon, or the woman who swam the English Channel. Stretch goals encourage you to hit a once-in-a-lifetime goal, completely transform your body, or reverse a health condition. Doesn’t that sound worthy of your time and effort?
5 benefits of stretch goals
– Encouraging peak performance and showing you what you’re capable of
– Giving you an opportunity to get creative with your fitness
– Uncovering hidden talents and areas of interest in your life
– Getting you out of a plateau if you are stuck in a rut
– Immense amounts of pride and self-confidence in your achievements
How to work towards stretch goals
As with any goal, stretch goals need to be strategic. In fact, the bigger the goal the more you need to reverse engineer it and put great support in place. That’s why I advise clients to combine their stretch goal with my GROW model of goal setting. You can read more about that in this blog post, but I’ll revisit it below.
Pair stretch goals with my GROW model
The GROW system of goal setting asks you to look ahead and predict pitfalls so you can put processes in place to minimise them.
Goal
– Write down your specific goal with dates, timeframes, and other measurables
– What will achieving this goal mean to you, how will it change your life?
Reality
– Where are you now in relation to your stretch goal?
– What is within your control?
– What obstacles might you face?
Options
– What could you do to move one step closer to your stretch goal?
– What would your role model advise you to do?
Will/Way forward
– What could stop you from doing this?
– What would need to change to remove that barrier?
– How will you start?
– When will you start?
– What do you need (support, resources, connections, skills)?
– How committed are you to doing this (1-10)?
Stretch goals need expert support
Stretch goals are no ordinary goal, and you should look for appropriate support, guidance, and accountability. I have supported amazing clients through all kinds of goals that have transformed their physical fitness, health, mental wellbeing, and quality of life.
Please get in touch if there’s a goal you want to achieve. We can talk about how I could help you take things to a whole new level.
‘The number one rated Personal Trainer In Henley and Oxfordshire’
