How do I get there?

When I was a young driver I would often call my dad for directions because there was no such thing as a GPS or even mapquest.  He would often reply with “you can’t get there from here” but nevertheless he would begin with specific landmarks and directions. Daddy would break down the destination in small sections for me to follow and sure enough down to the last landmark I never got lost.  Breaking down steps to reach a destination may sound easy unless it is the steps you need to follow to reach your weight loss goal.

In the meeting room this week we are discussing breaking down the steps to participate in the third annual Walk It Challenge.  On my flipchart I am demonstrating how to storyboard your goals.  As you reach your weekly goals, a star is placed in your booklet.  A star!  “A” runs into the meeting room from the weigh in area, “I am all about earning the golden star” she proclaims.  I could not have timed her energy and excitement any better.  But the best part of her story was her celebration.  Acknowledging her initial inspiration came from another member she met week 1 of her journey.  During her first week she noticed “the skinny girl” and wondered why was she in a Weight Watchers meeting until “the skinny girl” said she was a lifetime member and had lost 40 pounds! “A” is now determined to use her new friend as her mentor.  Today, “A” celebrated that she hit 41 pounds of weight loss!  As she announced, “I am not the skinny girl yet, but I lost 41 pounds”!!!!  The room cheered for both members. 

Use the storyboard to set your goals.  From the Weight Watcher Tools for Living, here are the steps for storyboarding:

Make A Storyboard
Here are five steps to creating your own Storyboard.

1. Decide on the mini-goals that will help you achieve your Winning Outcome.
2. Decide which goal will be first on your Storyboard, which will be second, and so on. That way, you'll be able to see your progress towards achieving your Winning Outcome.
3. Remember, shorter-term goals should have the same characteristics as your Winning Outcome; namely,

• Positive
• Within your control
• Specific
• A good fit with your life

4. Draw or write out the steps, from Goal One through your Winning Outcome, on cardboard, paper or similar material.
5. Post your Storyboard somewhere you'll see it every day, as a reminder of far you've come.

Decide this week how you can use the Storyboard method to reach a goal.  Your goal may be like “A’s” to reach a certain weight loss or to walk/run in the Walk It Challenge but remember a picture is worth a thousand words and this just may be the map you need to get to your destination.