MYST 70 Listener Question: I Reached My Goal. Now What?

Success and Relaxation!
Success and Relaxation!

Success is the goal, but what happens when we reach that finish line? How we do stay successful? How do we not slip back into out patterns of living?

MYST Varsity Squad member Lace emailed me a question about these very concerns. Her question is about weight loss, but she could have asked about any goal. The answer will apply to anything you are trying to achieve.

As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works.
Get Lose It!

Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

 

MYST 69 Trevitorial: Can You Keep a Secret?

Secrets, no logo or URL

Have your shared your goal with others?

Scary, right? But there is real power in do that. Sharing opens us up to the view of others, but creates more accountability. Accountability drives us to success. Listen for a better explanation.

Also, we have a Speakpipe voice message today!

Melanies’s question was excellent and here are the apps, resources and devices I mentioned (and of course, these are only a few of the many possible choices!)

Podcasts (the links are to their shows in iTunes):

These are currently active podcasts

Apps:

  • C25K
  • Runkeeper
  • Run Trainer
  • Running for Beginners
  • MapMyRun
  • LoseIt!  As mentioned in this episode (and many others) LoseIt! is my only recommended weight loss app. It not only helps you count calories, but it encourages you to be more active by letting you log–and see–your activity. LoseIt also hold activity challenges so that you can pit yourself against everyone else. Get Lose It! Premium because it works.

Get Lose It!

Devices:

Other Resources:

  • Runner’s World Magazine
  • Fitness Magazine
  • Find a local running group in your area
  • Find a local coach that will work with you. If you can’t find one, go to your local high school and find out the names of the track and running coaches. You should also be able to get their email. Ask them if they would accept a private student.

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voice-over is courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voice-over work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

MYST 68 Trevitorial: Coach or Cheerleader?

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

Epi 68 Altucher quote

As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works.
Get Lose It!

Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

 

MYST 67 Trevitorial: Are Your Goals Dumb?

What's Your Goal?
What’s Your Goal?

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com, by Abigail Keenan

A SMART goal is defined as one that is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-dependent. Below is a definition of each of the SMART goal criteria.

  • Specific: Goals should be simply written and clearly define what you are going to do.
    This is the “What, Why, and How” of the SMART model.
  • Measurable: Goals should be measurable so that you have tangible evidence that you have accomplished the
    goal. You can create a single long term goal, or a series of shorter goal. Choosing to create a series of goal may be preferable as each goal completion brings greater confidence and strength to achieve the next goal.
  • Achievable: Goals should be realistic, yet require some effort. You must possess the appropriate knowledge, skills,
    and abilities (or be able to obtain those characteristics) needed to achieve the goal.
  • Results-focused: Goals should measure discrete outcomes, not activities that result in the outcomes.
  • Time-bound: Goals should be linked to a timeframe (deadline). This creates a practical sense of urgency. However, in weight loss goals, using this feature will not enhance success.

As mentioned in this episode, LoseIt is my recommended weight loss method. Get Lose It! Premium because it works.Get Lose It!

Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

 

MYST 66 Trevitorial: The Wasted Resolution

Spam edited

 

Resolutions are like Spam. When you first see the can (or say the resolution) it sounds great, but later, when you really get into it….it’s not as appealing.*

A resolution is a statement, usually made without a lot of thought, which almost inevitably get thrown away quickly after the holiday. A goal, on the other hand, is a plan that grows with you, and enables you to reach more than you thought possible.

We will talk more about goal-setting in upcoming episodes, but in this show, I share one of my goals for 2015. I haven’t mentioned this in detail before, and this is a large and someone intimidating goal.

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

* The truth is, I really enjoy Spam. But it is the food that is easy to belittle, and it fit the situation perfectly here.

MYST 63 Trevitorial: Hire Me!

How many times have you been interviewed for a job, but did not receive a job offer? If your answer is “zero” then this episode is not for you.

If the answer is “one (or more)” then this episode is for you!

5 2009, February, At Clinical
Me, about a month after starting my current teaching position. Look at how excited I am!

I’ve had many jobs. I’ve had many more interviews than I’ve had jobs. Sometimes I was successful. Others…not so much. So what makes me an expert? I’m not. But I have some ideas. When you listen to the show, you will hear all the details, but I will give you the abbreviated version right here.

  1. Make sure you are the right person for the job. But more than that, make sure you are the right person for the company, organization or unit. Personalities matter!
  2. The little things in an interview (showing up on time, dressing appropriately, good handshake and eye contact) are actually not little at all.
  3. Cover letters and resumes will get you an interview–or immediately eliminate you from contention for the position.
  4. Passion! Bring passion to the interview!

A question for you?

What was your biggest mistake at an interview? Share your stories with everyone!

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Music composed and performed by Jason Shaw, courtesy of Audionautix.com

Voiceover courtesy of Matt Young. Matt is a professional voiceover artist. If you have any need of voiceover work, for your podcast, radio spot, or whatever, you can reach Matt by a variety of methods. He is on LinkedIn. On Twitter. And Google+. And you can read his really nice, contemplative blog. Matt was also my guest on MYST 54. Give his story a listen!

Some links (but not all) within these show notes may be Affiliate Links, meaning that I may receive a small commission when readers click on them and then purchase something. This does not increase your cost at all, but it does help me cover some of the cost associated with this podcast. Thanks!

Are You Riding in Back, or Up Front?

Photo by Matthew Clark, via Unsplash.com
In the photo above, the person in the back is on a nice ride, but he has no control over where he is going. He doesn’t even have an oar in his hands. He is passively along for the ride. If he ends up in a good spot, maybe a sunny bank along the lake, then he chose wisely.
But if the front person is over-eager, and aggressively tries to paddle through the rapids of a river, the trip will probably end differently.
What does that have to do with weight loss, or any goal achievement? This idea builds on the concept of being your own person. Take charge. When you passively exist, you only receive what others decide for you. In the USA, we are soon going to have national, state and local elections. Vote! Take a stand. Choose a position. Make your choice. If you don’t vote, and you don’t like the election outcome, you are not in a position to complain.
If you are on a weight loss journey, you really can’t do it passively. It takes action, determination and drive to lose weight. Oh, well, actually you can do it passively, in a fashion. If you are using prepackaged meals, that is a relatively passive method of weight loss. But the problem is that it doesn’t let you learn how to eat healthy for the rest of your life. If you follow their plans, you will lose weight. Will it stay off? That is the real question.
When you are in control of what you eat, you make decisions every day. Hopefully most days are good decisions, but even on those days where you choose unwisely, you are still learning about self-control.
In that picture above, what would be the result if the rider in back were to grab an oar? First he could help steer the canoe. He would be able to exert some influence upon the direction he moves. But he could also help propel the canoe faster, and reach their destination quicker.
But no, he is simply riding. Passive. One could even say “useless.” That is never a descriptor of anything good.
What about getting on a railroad? That is a choice you can make, too, and with that choice, you know the end destination. Depending in the railroad and ticket, you have a reasonable assurance that you will disembark where you are planning. No rapids for the engineer to steer through, and if the train derails, it will have nothing to do with your actions.
But once again, you have no control over how fast you arrive and actually, your potential destination choices are also limited. This is like choosing a very restrictive weight loss plan, strictly limiting certain foods. Might that work? Sure. But will it take you exactly where you want to go, in the comfort that you desire? Maybe not.

Clint Eastwood said “Fate pulls you in different directions.” He’s right. Some things that happen to us are out of our control.

That’s why it is so important to take charge of all those parts of your life which are under your control.

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If you would like to listen to this blogpost, this was the basis for a recent podcast episode.

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Unsplash License:  “All photos published on Unsplash are licensed under Creative Commons Zero which means you can can copy, modify, distribute and use the photos, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.”