“The greater danger for most of us isn’t that our aim is too high,
But it is too low, and we reach it.”
-Michelangelo
Happy New Year!!!
People all around the globe are ringing in the New Year with celebratory toasts “to health”.
Ukrainian: Na Zdorovia
Spanish “Sal
Italian “Salute”
French: “Santé”
Portuguese: “Saúde”
Greek: “Yamas”
Afrikaans: “Gesondheid”
Commit to achieving the health you envision with actionable goals. Instead of vague or general hopes, thoughtful goals enhance motivation, adherence, and performance. Defining SMART parameters ensures that objectives are attainable and time-bound, with proven success through all aspects of life, school, business, and sports. Yet to truly inspire us to dig deeper, the SMARTEST strategies should also be Exciting, Spiritual, and Tough to build fortitude and fuel motivation, perseverance, and grit with grace, pushing us on a little more and a little harder to never give up. Always strive for continuous improvement, as perfection is a horizon that always recedes.
Fortitude comes from the Latin “fortis” meaning “strong” and has traditionally been used to describe strength. From a holistic perspective, fortitude is a form of mastery of body, mind, and spirit, epitomized in our elite athletes who revere discipline, understand the necessity of consistent practice, and maintain a growth mindset for perpetual improvement fueled on positive thinking. Optimism supports mental well-being, boosts energy, and contributes to fulfillment and optimal performance.
Athletic success is contingent upon focus and commitment, by not allowing anyone or anything to derail you, taking ownership of your destiny. This internal locus of control enables you to view success and failures as the result of our own actions and thoughts. Conversely, people with an external locus of control believe they don’t control their lives, blaming failures on others. Success is entirely your own responsibility. Just as teachers won’t make you smart and trainers won’t make you fit, ultimately you have to take charge. Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens because of you, and is a direct result of the objectives you determine.
“If you want to be happy, tie it to a goal, not people or things.”
-Albert Einstein
The SMARTEST Goals:
S: Specific: Clear and well-defined strategy transforms a wish into a plan.
M: Measurable: Your goal should be quantifiable to track success objectively.
A: Achievable: Set the bar high, but in sight, with fervent faith in your vision.
R: Relevant: Create goals that liberate your energy, inspire your hopes, and align with your spirit.
T: Timely: Big achievements come one step at a time, one day at a time.
E: Exciting: Excitement inspires, motivates, and fuels passion.
S: Spiritual: Align your moral compass with the universe.
T: Tough: Reach high for the stars within you!
Cheers to Health!