One of the reasons I do consultations with every single client I work with is to really see if they’re ready or not.

Most of the clients I talk with are 100% if not 110% ready to put their words to action and tackle their goals. If you’re ready enough to reach out to a coach to help you do what it takes, you’re more than likely ready to do what it takes. You’re even excited to start putting the plan into action and see results.

However, every now and then, someone comes to be with big , audacious goals that are super exciting, and of course, I’m initially very excited to help them make progress toward. Alas, they aren’t truly ready to start tackling. Maybe in the future (I surely hope so!) but I can just tell that right now just isn’t the right time.

I usually sense this unsureness  when it comes time to talk about behavior goals, aka what needs to take place in order to achieve the goal being discussed.

There’s hesitation

There’s doubt

There’s an excuse for every single solution

And it’s completely clear that either she isn’t ready to take on this goal – and really see results with it – right now, or the goal is simply too unrealistic. If the latter is the case, then we just drill down to create a more realistic goal. Easy peasy.

But if it’s the former, then I typically ask if I can check back in a month, and see if life is more doable for that goal – whether due to a hectic schedule, a personal emergency, a mental/emotional issue exists, etc. Which is completely ok.

So, how do you know if you’re ready to take on your goal? To do what it takes, and see your results along the way?

I’ve got three factors for you to consider.

How Do You Know if It’s the Right Time to Tackle Your Goals?

1. Visualize the Action.

Picture yourself doing some of the necessary actions you would need to do in order to see progress toward this goal. You might not have reached out to a trainer or coach yet at this time, and in this case you wouldn’t necessarily know the exact plan, but do the best you can.

Think about taking a bit of extra time to prepare your meals, to follow your plan, and to schedule your workouts.

Think about how many days of working out is realistic for you. How much time per week spent on nutrition is realistic? Are you willing to give up your big nightly bowl of ice cream? To sweat it out in the gym a few days a week? To maybe change the structure or make up of some of your meals?

If the answer is no – or an excuse for each solution – you either need to re-evaluate your goals, think about why you’re coming up with excuses, and go back to the goal drawing board.

Of course, if the answer is YES! I‘m really ready to make some effective changes, read on to number 2.

2. Create an if-then scenario.

After you come up with your goal(s) think about a couple known roadblocks that might prevent you from reaching your goals. If you come up with an excuse for that roadblock, you might not be ready, but if you come up with a solution, I’d say your readiness is high.

For example, maybe you work until 6pm every night.  You would like to work out in the evenings after work, but you would also like to have dinner by 6:30 or 7 and be in bed by 9.

If your gut reaction to this scenario is: well this will never work! I’d say you have your answer on your readiness for the goal. But…

If you come up with a solution to wake up an hour earlier, and workout at 5:30am, now we’re talkin’.

3. Think backwards.

What happened the last time you attempted this goal? Why is it still a goal now?

Think back to when you tried to accomplish this goal in the past, and what stopped you from reaching it:

Was it burn out?

Boredom?

A personal emergency?

Did you reach your goal, but since then reverse it?

Write down exactly why you didn’t make progress and kept it the last time. Then, come up with a solution for each of those reasons. Now, if you come up with excuses rather than solutions, it might be time to re-visit the drawing board.

But – if you come up with solutions – and ones that you believe you’ll be able to keep – or can tweak with the help of a coach, move forward with those goals, and crush ’em, sister!

What goals have you set recently? What goals are you thinking about making for the future? Have you ever had a set back with a goal, that required re-visiting the drawing board? (I know I sure have!)