Goal Setting for 2009


Well, it seems like the year only started just yesterday, but time flies and 2008 is drawing to a close.
Was it a good year? Despite lackluster economic times, it wasn’t all that bad.

While 2008 may not go down in the history books as mankind’s most prosperous year, it has given us all an opportunity to take a step back and reassess our priorities. What is important? What is really required for fulfillment? For some, the answer will legitimately be the fancy new car or an addition to the house. For the overwhelming majority of us, however, what we really want is to simply be happy – live a good life. And I have a feeling that in 2009, we will see a growing number of people looking for self-improvement, and seeing health and fitness as a top priority.

So what are your goals? What are the things that you would like to accomplish in the coming year? 2009 will be one of the most important years of your life – make whatever you want closer to reality.
My top 5 fitness goals for 2009 are (in no particular order):

  • Get 40+ consecutive pull-ups
  • Achieve a 900 Crossfit total (1RM back squat + deadlift + shoulder press)
  • 30 second handstand by Summer
  • 21 minute 5km run by end of Summer
  • Enter 10km race – break 45 minutes
  • 3 weeks straight 100% strict zone diet, adhere to a moderate paleo philosophy for the rest
  • Take 2 fitness courses by September
  • Attend more yoga classes – increase flexibility – be able to put palms on floor with legs straight by November
  • 3 reps bodyweight overhead squat by end of Summer – work on 1RM clean\jerks
  • 15 consecutive ring muscle-ups by December

Goals shouldn’t be easy, but they should be achievable. Keep that in mind when you’re thinking about your own. Unachievable goals set you up for failure which leads to discouragement, frustration and loss of motivation.  Set timelines for your goals and think about what actions are necessary to reach them.

Goal setting should be something that we all do – and not just for fitness and health.  Educational, financial, social and family goals are also extremely important. There Are few things better than goal achievement for yielding positive change in our lives and providing motivation to continue the positive trends.  Set some goals; strive for them; check them off one by one.  Make 2009 your greatest year yet.





2 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. Dan

    If you’d like a tool for setting your goals, you can use this web application:

    http://www.Gtdagenda.com

    You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
    A mobile version is available too.

    December 24th, 2008

  2. Jamie

    Thanks for the link Dan! Looks like a great site.

    December 24th, 2008

Reply to “Goal Setting for 2009”

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • GoalsHow my 2008 goals are going? Photo by: Morgue File The Mighty Bargain Hunter posted an update on how his 2008 goals were going. He says it's a "tepid start at best", but I think he's doing great. While he hasn't fully met his goals, he's recognized he has some work to do which is......
  • Former Fat Guy, Rob Cooper LogoFormer Fat Guy Rob Cooper On Fitness I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Rob Cooper, the Former Fat Guy, about his natural weight loss experience. We covered his fitness, nutrition, and mental health. He is an inspiration to all, he once weighed nearly 500 lbs. 500 POUNDS! It took him only two and half years......
  • blog traffic exchangeTop Health Issues of 2007...and into 2008 The following is a list of prime health issues from 2007 that are expected to persist into the New Year. Green Energy This trend isn’t about to go out of style any time soon. More and more people are buying products that are supposed to be healthier for the environment......
  • i_love_sumoSumo High This workout today is all Sumo style! You will get a fast paced workout focusing on these 2 basic exercises; the Sumo dead lift high pull and jumping squats. Warm up: 800 meter run (2 laps around track) 2 sets of 20 full sit ups Workout: - a total of......
  • Duke Diet - Get Your EvaluationRenowned Duke Diet Program All Online Duke University's Diet & Fitness Center is a world-class diet program that is located in Durham, North Carolina, USA. Their popularity and reputation have led them into bringing their diet program onto the internet for people all over the world to join. The Duke Diet & Fitness Online Weight Loss......

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • blog traffic exchange30 Muscle-Ups for Time PR? Nope... My last PR for the good ol' 30 Muscle-ups for time was 10 minutes. Maybe just a hair longer actually, but still not half bad.  Now, there's more strategy in the 30 muscle ups for time WOD than most others.  It turns out that trying to bust out 30 as......
  • 20071105.gifMaintain Your Healthy Body Weight by Breaking a Sweat Seems obvious, but a recent study at Northwestern University which analyzed the BMI from over 2600 participants over the course of 20 whole years found that those who managed to get about 30 minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise per day between the age of 20 and middle age......
  • blog traffic exchangeWeight Training - Do It Great article here on the New York Times website. It discusses how weight training is not only a vital part of a balanced fitness routine, but is vital for long term health. The main point that Dr. Paul Thompson suggests is how unstimulated muscles eventually atrophy and is the primary......
  • blog traffic exchangeA Good Full Body Circuit I like to change up the workout all the time. I rarely do the same routine twice in a month. However, I've found a particular routine to be a great full-body workout and it takes very little time to complete so I've started doing it more often. The routine requires......
  • CIBC Run for the Cure - Crossing the Finish LineThe CIBC Run for the Cure  This morning, I woke up nice and early and headed downtown Guelph for the CIBC Run for the Cure 5k. Apparently about 1500 people showed up for the event. This is nearly the same number of runners that took part in the Guelph race in 2006. Overall, the run was......