#2013alive: Create a Game Plan and Make Your Dreams Reality

It’s month 4, week 5 of our 12 Months of Wellness, and this month we focus on finding our bliss. In past weeks we’ve figured out what we’re good at, sought out a mentor, and created a vision board representing our future goals. Now, we’re creating a solid game plan so that our visions can become our reality.

Make it SMART

We’ve talked about it before, but we’ll touch on it again: SMART goals. They are

• Specific
• Measureable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timely

On my vision board I have several images of women doing handstands. I cannot (yet) do a handstand; however, I’d like to be able to stick one for 10 seconds by the end of the summer.

Already, my goal is specific and measurable as well as timely and attainable. After some research I think it’s realistic, too, given that I’m quite physically fit with relatively good core strength (which is necessary to hold an inversion); I can kick up into a handstand position but just can’t hold it; and I can successfully hold many of the prep poses leading up to handstand.

So the key to achieving my goal is practice, practice, practice. Each day for 15 minutes I will practice the following prep poses: plank and pushups, wheel with pushups, headstand, and crow. I will follow with five minutes of handstand practice, against a wall when possible.

Evaluate and adjust

As with all goals, it’s important to re-evaluate if you’re not getting the desired results, so if I don’t start noticing improvements it might be an indication that I need to change my approach, such as by booking a private session with a yoga instructor.

What are some of your dreams you’d like to make reality? We’d like to hear about your game plan! Let us know by dropping us a line via blog or Facebook comments, or by using the Twitter hashtag #2013alive. While you’re at it, download our April Goal Sheet to track your progress.