How to Set S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Goals (Part 7): E is for “Enlist Support from Others”

In yesterday’s blog post, I discussed the importance of Tracking Your Progress when working on your goals. In today’s post, I will show why it is so helpful to Enlist Support from Others.

As you work toward achieving your goals, you will inevitably encounter road blocks and times of discouragement. This is why it is so important that you enlist friends, family, co-workers, etc. who can encourage you on your journey.

 I also recommend that you find an accountability partner for mutual encouragement who you can check-in with on a regular basis. Having an accountability partner who provides encouragement and structure is the “secret weapon” of many successful people.

In 1998, Outside magazine interviewed Mark Allen, who had won six consecutive Ironman victories from 1989 through 1995. The famous Ironman Triathlon competition, which is held each year in Hawaii, is an ultra-endurance race requiring each participant to swim 2.4 miles in the ocean, bicycle 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles. The race takes between eight and seventeen hours to complete and is held during the time of year when temperatures are scorching.

In the interview, Mr. Allen credited his success with making sure he had an accountability workout partner to meet with him each day for training. He admitted that without this structure, he would procrastinate on his training and skip important workouts. In the interview, Mr. Allen said, “I can talk myself out of anything, but if I know that I’m meeting with somebody for a run, it gets me out the door.”

If an award winning Ironman, who we would assume has incredible self-discipline, needs an accountability partner, don’t you think you could benefit from having one also? Can you have a friend “check in” with you each day, by telephone, e-mail, or in person regarding your progress?

Who could help you achieve your goal? In what specific ways can they support and encourage you?