I wrote about this to my business group, but of course, as I was writing this I realized it could totally apply to anyone in life, especially those getting ready to tackle or currently on their fitness journey.
2020.
It sounds so far away...
But it's a mere 2.5 years away.
It's only 905 days away.
Before you know it, if we don't plan and take action, the time is going to pass and you're going to be sitting there 2. 5 years older, with the same frustrations you have now the same feeling of unhappiness and the same list of goals wanting to be achieved.
What will life look like in 2020?
I'm calling it Project 2020.
I challenge you to take out a blank piece of paper and write the title "Project 2020" at the top.
Then, start thinking about what you want life to look like in 2020.
The reason why I like 2020 is it's just far enough away where it really forces you to think about some stretch goals, but it's not too far away that you can't visualize yourself in that time.
Plus it sounds cool.
So, what's on the page?
I recommend you start by outline what your "average perfect day" looks like.
Now, we all think we want to live on the beach with a glass of wine in our hand 24/7, no work, no stress, just a glass of cab and a beautiful sunset.
Well then there's reality, right?
That may be possible here and there, but let's spend time thinking about your "average perfect day" with things like work, family, etc.
Here are some questions do get you started...
What time are you waking up?
What will you do the first part of your day?
What are you thinking about?
Where are you eating lunch? With who?
What would you do for personal fulfillment?
What time would you go to work? How many hours would you work?
What's your career or business?
What is your relationship like? Spouse? Family?
What are you doing for exercise, mentally and physically?
What would you at night?
What would your thoughts be as you fall asleep?
These questions are all based on desired experiences, not goals.
It's important to understand that achieving a certain goal just allows us to have a certain experience.
Think about it...
Having a goal of losing 20lbs is just a goal, but it's truly the experience you're after that comes with losing those 20lbs.
Things like being able to play with your kids in the backyard, being alive and well for your granddaughter's wedding, or having the confidence to walk on the beach with your favorite bikini on.
The goals are just the milestones we use to ultimately achieve a certain experience.
So use the above questions as you outline "Project 2020" to first start with what you want the experience to look like.
What does a great day look like?
That should take up the front page...
On the back page, you can start to set some goals that need to be achieved in order for that experience to happen.
Here are some questions to help you prompt that side of things...
What does life look like in 2020?
How many hours a week are you working?
How many days off do you have in a year?
How much are you making?
How much do you have in the bank?
What events/experiences have you taken part in?
What do you look like physically?
How strong are you?
How often are you exercising?
What are you going for exercise?
What's your nutrition look like?
What does that doctor say when you come in for that year physical?
How much energy do you have?
How many hours of sleep are you getting?
What's your emotional state?
How big is your family?
Where are you living and in what kind of house?
These questions and more should be documented in this paper titled "Project 2020."
2020 will be here before you know it.
Are you going just go through the motions and be sitting here 905 days from now in the same health, with the same frustrations, and the same unhappiness...
Or are you going to take action and do something about it?
It starts by painting a clear picture of what success looks like to you.
What does life look like in 2020?
I challenge you to spend even 15 minutes doing this exercise and then hang the piece of paper somewhere you see every day.
1% of you will actually do this exercise and those that do will see dramatic results.
The others...I don't want to just go down the path, I want to create my own.
What's your #Project2020?
1% Better.
Dedicated to Your Success,
Doug Spurling