Make Your Goal This New Year to Get Moving!
Have you rehabilitated an injury and want to take the next step to a healthier life? At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are experts at keeping you on track and motivating you to live a more active lifestyle!
Physical inactivity is one of the most challenging obstacles for people to overcome. Despite the persistent message about how important it is to get moving, more and more people find themselves making another round of resolutions only to experience modest results.
Often, injuries or old aches and pains worry people into inactivity. The fear of overdoing it leads to not doing anything or doing too much too soon. This only results in new aches and pains. For some, the struggle is not in the willingness to get moving; it is because they don’t know exactly what to do first.
At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, our integrated team will work with you to set attainable goals, and we’ll give you the guidance and accountability you need to be successful. Contact our clinic today and let us help you live the life you deserve!
How to set goals that work
For most people, a goal is defined as “what an individual is trying to accomplish.” Typically, this means the desired result of an action is to attain a defined standard within a specific time frame.
There are different types of goal setting strategies, but for a goal to be successful, it needs to have the following characteristics:
Ability
Individuals must have the ability to attain a specific goal. People cannot reach goals if they do not know how to do so or have the physical capacity to achieve them.
Task complexity
It is critical to accomplish your goals to have the knowledge and skill/technique to perform the task.
Commitment
Goal commitment occurs when the person sees the goal as necessary and is only effective when the individual is already committed to achieving the specific plan.
Feedback
Individuals must receive feedback on their performance concerning the goal they are striving to attain. Without such feedback, a person lacks information to understand whether or not they should change their strategy for goal attainment.
Situational resources
To accomplish a specific goal, the individual must have the required resources (e.g., access to indoor equipment during winter).
Stress, anxiety, and pressure can result from setting unachievable goals. If the plan is unrealistic for the individual’s current level of physical conditioning or involves too many challenging goals, their ability to reach their goals will be limited.
Fortunately, our team is here to help you from start to finish!
Goal-setting strategies with physical therapy
Our physical therapists will start with an injury evaluation and a movement screening to identify all the needed factors to reach your goals. This will consist of a thorough history to understand your current exercise schedule and demands on your body. In addition, we will discuss your overall health status and specific activity goals you have to ensure you are setting yourself up for success.
Together we will develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and any appropriate pain relief technique to ensure you are starting with your best foot forward.
Next, we will focus on progressing your strength and dynamic movements designed to restore function, improve your health, and prevent injuries. We will also incorporate SMARTER goal-setting strategies to help ensure your success!
S — Specific: A specific (clearly stated) area for improvement.
M — Measurable: Numbers or indicators to measure progress are essential.
A — Achievable: Challenging but within your skill range.
R — Realistic: To be successful, you must define results in realistic terms with available resources.
T — Timely: Specify the date the results are due to a sense of urgency.
E — Evaluate: Evaluating your goals and getting feedback from an expert (i.e., Our team at (practice name), you’ll be much more likely to achieve your goals.
R — Readjust: Use the feedback from our experts until you find yourself realizing your goals.
The average dropout rate from exercise programs (i.e., fitness center memberships) reached almost 50% by the second month, nearly 90% by the sixth month, and over 95% by the 12th month.
Fortunately, adherence to activity goals is more likely when you get guidance, feedback, support, and motivation from our team of physical therapists.
Contact us today!
At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, our team of physical therapists are experts at helping you achieve your goals. We have proven success in helping our patients achieve their goals and reach their dreams!
Schedule an appointment today with one of our specialists.