what are your non-negotiables?

Happy New Year!! This is an exciting time for many of us who like a "fresh start" or to "get back on track." Do you make New Years Resolutions, have some type of goal setting routine you do yearly or perhaps you're not really into making any type of resolutions but perhaps being more conscious about the choices you make?

I have one fitness goal for this year but it's nothing I'm going to scream to the world about or make it my declaration. It's been several years since my last showing and I intend to compete again in July. I'm looking forward to the challenge again and more importantly, who I'll be sharing the stage with. The end goal of being on stage is exciting, but as I mentioned, it's not my declaration, my New Years Resolution.

What is exciting for me is the STEPS I have in place for this coming year.

I sat down over the holiday break and planned out my first 90 days of the year. I always have a packed schedule and have good intentions to stay on track but, as most of you may know, if I don't write it down, I will forget.

Jim Rohn says "don't trust your memory, you've got to keep a journal for ideas, dreams, better thinking habits, your experiences..."

Usually I brain storm all the things I want to do, places I want to go, people I want to see...This year was quite the opposite. I planned out what I don't want. Darren Hardy describes making a list of non-negotiables. What are the things that you will NOT do or let interrupt your goals.

I made a list of my non-negotiable boundaries that are truly important to me:
1. My time with my family is sacred and I will not allow any distractions, interruptions or negative energy.
2. My workouts are my relaxation time and will not be interrupted.
3. My weekends are off limits after 12:00

It really comes down to time. As Jim Rohn says, "time is more valuable than money. You can always get more money, but you cannot get more time. "

One of my mentors, Todd Durkin, describes and lays out his "mellow yellow" time. He's talked of this for years and I used his method to plan out my 90 days. It is so simple and when I applied that method, everything else fell right into place to complete my 90 day calendar and to achieve what I DO want.

So in this week's fit tip, ask yourself, what are your non-negotiables? What are the things that you aren't going to sacrifice to achieve your goal? Or perhaps, what are the things you've been sacrificing already to achieve your goal and you're going to rectify that? Or, what are you NOT going to do to start heading in the direction you desire?

Cheers to very happy and healthy New Year!

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