You have read above that I’m now committed to getting fit and healthy, and losing a significant amount of weight. This is a goal, just like my clients have the goal of finding out what they want to do or in finding a new job.

The most important aspect of achieving a goal is setting a clear goal – I know exactly how much weight I want to lose and roughly how long it will take. I know that if I stay focused I’ll reach my goal much quicker than if I have set backs and allow these to take me away from my goal. Some of my clients find it hard to achieve their goal as they get distracted. It’s hard work, and sometimes its easier just to let things be and carry on with life as it is. But you need to think of the future.

I’ve been on diets before, lost weight and then put it back on. I’m then full of guilt and remorse and saying ‘if only’. What makes the difference this time is that I’m totally committed to achieving my goal, and I’ve got a personal trainer to ensure I am stretched to achieve goals and to keep me motivated. But I can’t rely on him. He’s an external resource, like I am to my clients, but for me to be successful really depends on me.

So if you are looking for a new job – is this something that you are committed to? Truely? It really has to be a 100% commitment – will you do whatever it takes to get there?

Then think about what will help with your level of commitment – will it be keeping track of goals – writing down what you want to achieve and monitoring progress. Would you work well with other people – either one to one with a career coach or as part of a group? I never got on well at Weightwatchers, but other people do and the equivalent, my on line job search club might be right for you. I’m still working out how it will work, and think that January will be a great time to start, so more details next month.

ACTION:

Why not check your commitment to achieving a task using the exercise below. I’ve focused it on job search but it could be adapted to any goal you want to achieve, from identifying your ideal career to writing a novel.

Many experts will tell you that looking for a job is a full time job.  Indeed, if you are not in work at the moment you can devote many hours to this process.  If you are working full time you are going to want to plan your time carefully so you have the time and energy to devote to this task.

Can you give up any activity such as watching as much TV?  How can you find say 2 hours a day to spend on the job search process?  The job search needs to be a high priority, and having a routine can help with this.

If you begin any task in a half-hearted way, you are unlikely to succeed.  What will happen is that you will stumble at the first sign of difficulty and the decision to get the job of your dreams will just fade away.

Think about your level of commitment. Make a note of how committed you are to this job search:

1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10
_______________________________________________________

If something else is going to take priority. How will you achieve your job search goals? Think about your level of commitment. If it is below 7, you are just playing with this.  Sorry to be blunt, but if your commitment isn’t high, there will always be excuses and reasons why you don’t get started. If you have too many other commitments, what can you give up to allow you time for job search?

You may want to list your current hobbies and interests here and list the amount of time you spend on them.

Where can you save some time?  Could you stop watching some TV or get up an hour earlier? Where can you find the time?

How committed are you now?

1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10
_______________________________________________________

If you are not at a 10, what can you do to take it to a 10? Are you ready to make a personal commitment, why not comment below? Might lead on to something helpful from me!