GO FOR YOUR GOALS

Reprinted From Interview
The Oregonian, January 1995
"Some things never change", VJ

This new year is such an exciting time for me. It's a time of renewal and fresh starts. I am so excited to have this opportunity to share my ideas, passions, and lifelong lessons with you, my fellow sisters, on Going for your Goals. Making an impact on someone’s life is the most satisfying part of my job. I know you will use the techniques and strategies I have detailed and outlined for you to empower your life thus enriching the lives of those you love and share your time with. There's no time like Right Now to start. Together, let's make our new motto for this year: It's time to revive in ‘95!” (This year it's "Be Great in 98!)

We are entering the era of total mind/body fitness and whole health. Feeling strong, confident, empowered to face life's challenges head on with energy enthusiasm and a positive knowing that you will succeed is the first step to accomplishing your goals.

Remember when full of spirit you were as kid. No one could slow you down. You met each day with a fresh outlook and your life was in front of you with all its possibilities? When you wanted something, you could summon the spirit and energy from within to get it. The word No just meant you should ask it a different way at a different time. I know I remember those days well. I believe it is time for you to go back to that place in your mind and in your heart. Rekindle that playfulness and live life with vitality as it was meant to be lived. Nothing could stop you then, well let nothing stop you Now from going for what you want.

It's time to stop with the would've, could've and the should've mentality. Start believing in yourself, reach deep inside and call upon the tenacity to never give up what you want for yourself and your family. You deserve it and so do they. "If it is to be, It is up to me" You can do it by turning your desires into goals, committing them to paper, and developing a detailed game plan that will maximize achievement. Its not as hard as you may think. If you're still reading, you have what it takes.

For several painful years I was almost 70 lbs. overweight. I tried to lose weight with every gimmick and shortcut I could find. Nothing worked permanently of course, because I didn't have a detailed plan that fit my lifestyle. I only saw what I wanted to be, not how I planned to get there. I also could not see how taking the first step could lead to other benefits as well.

In my book, Attitude, I talk a lot about goal setting and goal achieving. Most recently to simplify the process I developed a formula that you can use you to help you on your journey to success. The concepts listed below will help you with your first step, as they have helped me and my clients. They are based on the acronym:

INSPIRATION:

Inspiration comes from the enthusiasm you generate within yourself. Nothing great has ever been achieved without enthusiasm, and I believe that encouraging and self supporting words you use about are the best form of inspiration you will find.

Start with the words and body language you use when you talk with yourself. Sit taller, walk quicker, smile more, it's tough to be negative when you're smiling. Get completely excited about your progress. Replace negative words with positive ones that make you feel powerful and unstoppable.. Use phrases like “I GET to work out today!”, instead of “ I HAVE to work out.” When I speak in public, or are talking to my clients in classes and videos, I compliment my language with positive comments and encouraging words. You may not remember all the nice things that are said to you, but your subconscious mind hears them. They will have a powerful impact on how you respond to pressure challenging situations

When people ask you how you are today, tell them you feel GREAT! (Just saying it will make you feel better.) Try to avoid negative conversations with others. They will only change your positive outlook. Just excuse yourself politely, get out of the situation, and run for your life! (That's literally what you're doing!)

INFLUENCE:

When your mother told you the world would judge you by the company you keep, she was RIGHT!

The type of company you keep will reflect in your language, your behavior, and actions. All of these factors dictate your destiny, AND your success. You must associate with people who have a positive effect on you, not people who help you retain your old ways. If you are trying to quit smoking, don't go to lunch with a group of smokers. If you want to diet, donut eat lunch with the “all you can eat” crowd. Find a group of people, or a friend who already thinks and acts the way you want to be. Keep positive influences on your quest for a sound mind and healthy body.

CLARITY:

In order to achieve your goals you must know exactly what you want and why you want it. You must be crystal clear. That is what clarity means.

To establish clarity, take out a piece of paper and answer the following questions?

Look at Oprah. She is one of the most successful Black women of our time. Do you think she achieved her success without a clear vision and game plan? Not only did she know what she wanted, but she was able to put her visions into words, and those words into action!

You can start right now by creating a vision in your mind, and following these steps once you have answered the clarity questions.

1) WRITE IT DOWN

Write your goals in your daytimer, your journal, on a calendar, or even just a 3x5 card. If you've never kept a journal before, make it special by buying yourself a new spiral or hardbound notebook just for this purpose. Personalize it and do it for yourself. Don't edit your thoughts before you write them down. Write everything in it. This is your life, be honest. You can only improve once you recognize there is a problem. Write down your dreams and every actioo you take towards reaching them. Keep it near you and look at it daily. Enter new information, thoughts and feelings often. Focus on your successes and forge ahead. Never quit.

Use 3x5 cards to keep your vision alive. Put them on your bathroom mirror, car visor, desk. Place them where you'll see them everyday. You will move in the direction of your thoughts, actions and beliefs. Let your cards inspire you to continue positive action.

2) DEVELOP A DETAILED GAME PLAN

Create your own strategy for achieving your goals. Make a list of specific actions in your journal that you can do everyday to help you get there.

Example:

Refer to your game plan (food journal, etc.,) as often during the day. Check off goals as your complete them. Set aside time each night to make new goals for the next day. If you don't complete a goal, stay positive and determined. Put it at the top of your goal sheet for the next day and make it your number one priority!

3) ESTABLISH CHECKPOINTS

Evaluate your progress throughout the journey. Consistency is the key here. Stay on track, and never give up. If you are on target according to the target dates you set, congratulate yourself! Continue on with even greater enthusiasm. If you temporarily slip off course, do not beat yourself up. Analyze: Ask yourself questions until you can figure out how and why you got off. Examples; Did I skip my daily walk this week? Why?; Did I get up too late and forget to pack a nutritious lunch the past few days? What did I eat instead? Once you can find out why you did what you did. Get rid of in your mind, keep it as a training reference, not as a mental weapon. Write down your findings then get back on track take control of your life!

ATTITUDE You have to have "Attitude" If you are going to a greater Altitude. If you want to "take it to the top" In other words, you must feel good to do good. You must have a good attitude if you want to reach those goals. Learn to like yourself and accept yourself regardless of your size of shape. Remember, your body is just temporary housing for a unique and special spirit. Yes, you want to take care of, but don't make that your only reason for existing. Believe in yourself. You have the power within you to achieve your vision. Your attitude shows in everything you do and say. You must remain enthusiastic while working your plan, this will help you get through tough times. Keep reminding yourself that what you are experiencing at this moment is temporary. ALl things change, just keep your attitude positive and use your personal power each day to strengthen you and pretty soon you won't have to work at it, people will wonder why you are so excited all the time. You tell them it's just your new attitude.

Action: See the reaching. Use visualization to call yourself to take action on a day by day basis. Close your eyes, see yourself not smoking, stress free, walking into a room feeling great bout the way you move with freedom and energy. I like to keep a collage of magazine pictures and photos in my office to help me stay motivated and action oriented. I decide what it is I'm after and I start collecting pictures that show the activity or goal. Sometimes I even cut the face out and put mine in it's place. I paste them on a poster board and put the board in a strategic place where I will see it daily. This makes my foal so clear that I will take action much more easily and more often. You can't touch something you don't see.

NOW - DO IT NOW.

Don't wait! Every day that you put it off you are that much further from reaching your goal, from achieving your vision. You have the power to control your thoughts, emotions, and actions. You control your body and your mind. Rise above, and reach a new level. Be the best you can be. As women we are strong and dominate when it comes to our children, yet we become passive and weak when it comes to our health and physical fitness. Take a stand now. Don't set goals to be skinny, set goals to be healthy and increase longevity. Become a role model for your family, your friends, your coworkers. We were all put here for a purpose, rise above the crowd and let your influence make a difference in this world and generations to come.

"This is your opportunity to leave the past behind and create a dynamic new image and a compelling future."

By making more of yourself, and giving more to yourself , you can then care for others. Make your dreams happen now, and see how they affect others around you. Watch how your new found energy empowers you to do anything, be anything get anything you want.

The time is Now, the place is Here to achieve Total Mind/Body Fitness. This is your chance to take control, to get what you want, to be the person you want to be. Its all there inside you, the power, the will, the enthusiasm. You just need to release it. I believe you can do anything you want with your life. You can, if you believe it too.

Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it will achieve.” Put your mind to work for you. Let nothing or no one stop you now! Always remember to go for your goals, not necessarily for what you get but for what you become in the process.

Everyday, make a new morning ritual of saying to yourself,

“I CAN" Do It. YES, I CAN!

I am going for my goals today!

Victoria is a world-renowned keynote speaker, ranked as one of the top four "Superstars of Self-Esteem", and has twice been runner-up for IDEA's Business Person of the Year. She is the star and producer of 23 dance fitness videos and her own television show, "Victoria's Body Shoppe". She has written several books on personal development, nutrition, and exercise and is a contributing writer for a wide variety of publications, including Shape, Elle, Vogue, Black Enterprise, Rolling Stone, Longevity, and USA Today. Visit Victoria's website today at http://www.victoriajohnson.com