Without ambition, one starts nothing.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am a devoted goal getter. Every year since the eighth grade, I have set New Year’s goals and resolutions. The new year has always been a special time for me—born on New Year’s Eve, I am doubly inspired to think of how I can make the most of the year to come.

It was in the eighth grade that I officially learned the art and science of how to set a goal. For Christmas, I was given the gift of a monthly subscription to Nightingale-Conant audio cassettes. The first month was a roundup of motivational speakers and authors like Earl Nightingale, Brian Tracy, Les Brown and Denis Waitley, who shared their secrets and insights to goal setting. I was instantly hooked, and for years to come, I would happily employ the techniques and strategies that I had learned among others that I came to learn from a variety of resources, including coaches, instructors, pastors, professors and authors.

Each year, I would make my carefully considered list and then transform it onto an inspiring vision board, fill out my new shiny planner, and carefully map out my plan to make the goals a reality. There is an art and science to goal setting and a corresponding strategy to goal getting. For most people, a set-it-and-forget-it methodology does not produce the meaningful results desired. Instead, we must set the goal and then get to it. We must be willing to imagine wildly and plan specifically—and along the way, find meaning in the work and the transformative journey.

In a world where it is now common to discuss the law of attraction and our conscious ability to energetically manifest that which we desire, it feels taboo to suggest that something we want may require a hustle. Or that we must get after it, get to the bottom of what is holding us back, and 100 percent get into it and do whatever it takes. But this is where the juice is. The energy and desire that move you to set the goal in the first place must continue to fuel your efforts and bring your goal to a reality. This is the secret sauce. Ambition is 100 percent personal, and it is one reason why resolutions get such a bad rap. Far too often, we set resolutions that we think we should set instead of taking the time to be honest and get clear on what we really want to feel and experience and be in our lives—and then build our goals from that place. This is where art, science and strategy must critically blend together and manifest results.

It’s 2019—we have learned so much, about everything. What to eat, how to move and even how to create behavioral change that lasts. We have also learned why we so often abandon our knowledge and self-sabotage our efforts and our results. We start the year with low expectations as strong goal setters and yet remain weak goal getters. It is time to defy the odds.

This issue of 24life is designed to be your companion guide. On our cover, Jillian Michaels leads us forward and challenges us to raise our ambitions to plan and think for a long healthy life in a body that we can love and enjoy along the way. You may be surprised as she posits that we must sleep as much as we must sweat.

Not that we are letting you off the hook—being a goal getter means there will be sweat required. And lucky for you, we have a workout for your every goal along with need-to-know guidance on staying hydrated, injury-free and in a ready-for-anything mindset.

As you enter 2019, we are excited to encourage you as your partners, as you imagine a world where you achieve your goals, realize your dreams, defy all the odds, overcome all the obstacles and nail all the challenges. You don’t have to be a superhero to get the results you want, and you don’t have to chase the dreams that other people have for you. When the prize is defined on your terms—and no one else’s—a strong, happy life is yours for the taking, and no one can take that away from you.

Happy Goal Getting!

P.S.—Look out for the 24Life 2019 Goal Getter Guide, and be sure to check back each day this month as we share 24 goals and how to achieve them.

Video credit: pressmaster, Adobe Stock
Photo credit: Antonioguillem, Adobe Stock; vectorfusionart, Adobe Stock; 5ph, Adobe Stock; babaroga, Adobe Stock

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