Quote: A goal without a deadline is just a dream. By Alec Mackenzie
Hey Everybody!
I just love that quote! It is so true.
It’s 2009 and we are half way through January right now. So, let’s set those goals and make deadlines so we can make our dream a reality. Don’t know where to start? Grab a pen and paper and start writing a list of things that are important to you. It could be anything. Write down realistic and unrealistic goals/dreams down on a piece of paper. Write down what is most important to you. It could be fitness goals, personal goals, career goals, and relationship goals. After you have them, start setting deadlines for each. Then start working everyday towards each goal. Without a goal, we are just spinning our wheels in life. I don’t know about you…but I want to make the most out of life!
I will give y’all a few examples of my fitness goals. I have a packed 2009 year! I have my whole 2009 year planned. I look at the first couple of fitness goals and see my timeline. My first fitness event is the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. I will be at the Gaspari Nutrition Booth, so you have to come visit me! 
It is the first week of March. I have today until March to eat right and workout. I will do a countdown till the first day I will be there, I look at how much time I have. (Because I will be wearing a teeny tiny dress and I want to look good in it, wait…fantastic in it!) I will program all my workouts and food in my workout log and food journal. I will work hard till I get to the next one (which isn’t too far behind) the NPC Bikini Championship in Orlando, Florida April 17th. That is my main fitness goal since I will be on stage. This will be my first show this year.
Well, I hope that helps you some. Remember to write it down on paper to make it a reality!
Love y’all,
Marzia Prince
January 14, 2009 at 11:31 am
I usally write my goal down on paper but dont have a deadline on them.
So maybe now I should do a deadline so I wont be procrastinating
January 14, 2009 at 11:37 am
Hi Marzia,
Just wondering how close you keep yourself in "fighting shape" year round? You mention you have a couple of months to eat right and workout…just wondering how far you let it slide between events?
January 15, 2009 at 10:47 am
I love that quote. I’m gonna make it my new mantra.
January 25, 2009 at 6:15 am
Nice quote Marzia…but I’d like to play devil’s advocate with it.
Vince Delmonte, a trainer and author of fitness books, says one of the mistakes people make is setting an outcome goal rather than a performance goal. You can’t control the specifics of the outcome - how much muscle you gain, fat you lose etc. - but you can control the performance criteria - your lifestyle choices - that can lead to those things.
Deadlines are good, but it would be better to say "I will eat/train/etc. in this way, and see how I come out on X date" than, "I will lose 3% bodyfat (for example) by X date". You can control the first, but you can’t control the second.
Sorry for going on so long! Any thoughts?
January 25, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I agree with you. But my point is to set a goal, period. I am not saying that you will reach it in a short amount of time. I believe if you have something to work towards you can achieve it. You never know how long it takes, timewise. And it could be anything from fitness to personal. I am talking about life in general. There are many views on how to do it, I don’t argue that. It is what one can do mentally. I am just saying write some goals. How you get there is your journey. Everyone has a different path in life!
January 25, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Thanks for the thoughful response, Marzia.
I’m not being deliberately obtuse! I just thought of the ‘outcome vs performance’ distinction when I read your blog. To be fair, Delmonte himself recommends setting a solid deadline, so you have something to motivate you to keep your performance goals on track.
I absolutely understand what you’re saying, and I agree. Your point is valid and well made - mental attitude is vital to success, as is a clear goal, a ‘what you want’. Hey, it’s clearly worked for you!
Thanks again.
June 12, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Thanks Marzia! Your enthusiasm is infectious! For me, setting milestones and highly measureable goals are the keys to successfully achieving my goals.