The three S's of success

Words by Joany Badenhorst

6 August 2019

Even though the Stand Tall conference only feels like it was about a week ago, we’ve already started with the next chapter in our year! I guess time flies when you are having fun, or if you are just really busy

That’s why it’s so important to try and make the most of every moment, every opportunity that you might come across. Try and excel this season, work hard and always try to keep on moving forward.

This is definitely easier said than done; believe me, I know. Thinking back to my time at school I realise I let a lot of opportunities just pass me by, not because I didn’t see them, but because:

I was too lazy to do anything about it

I felt to overwhelmed at the idea of pursuing them

I honestly didn’t have the tools to confidently take hold and make the most of them.

So, I thought it might be a great Idea for me to chat about the things that I’ve learnt along the way, the tools I use and the things I do now, as an adult, as an athlete and as a woman in business to help keep me motivated and working hard!

Setting up a winning routine

Small consistent efforts are the key here, because habits form over time- they are not instantaneous. I think it’s really important to identify areas in your life, in your day to day routine that you can improve. Now I’m not talking about becoming a vegan overnight, relax... But look at the small repetitive things you do because changing those can have the biggest impact to your day to day.

One of the most difficult things I suffer through every morning, is dragging my lazy, sleepy body out of bed and into a gym. As an athlete, it is my JOB to work hard, keep fit and stay strong- but some mornings are just too cold, I am tired and I feel fit enough… Which is NOT the case…

So, I needed to form a good habit. Not only for my sport but because I needed to get a routine started that I would be able to rely on, something positive that took a little bit of dedication to master. By starting a routine of waking up every morning a little bit earlier, and going to bed a little bit earlier I was able to change one small habit that allowed me to become more conscious of my training, start the day on a better foot and massively improved my time management skills!

Setting SMART goals

I am notorious for setting ridiculous goals in life, always going above and beyond in the things that I want to achieve for myself and for others. I think having a mindset that ‘normal’ or ‘average’ isn’t good enough when it comes to what you deserve or what you want is so important. Setting goals give you direction in life. Having something that you are working towards ensures that you are constantly moving forward, towards something great. It’s also very important that you set goals with meaning, goals that motivate you and move you.

So how do you start? Easy…

Grab a pen and paper and write down something you want to achieve, something you want to be doing or anything that you aspire towards. We can call that your ultimate goal!

The easiest way to eat a cake is piece by piece, so... when you have your unlimited goal in mind and on paper, the next step would be to break that up into smaller manageable pieces, maybe a month to month goal. Something you can work towards that is:

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and something that is Time bound… SMART

By doing this, you reshape the goal or the aspiration into something so very real and achievable, even though only a few weeks or months ago, it seemed impossible.

Spell it all out

Last, but not least… You need to spell it out! Tell people and have them keep you accountable!

I have a Notes file saved on my Samsung (yes, I get it, I have an Android… we will all just have to move past this together). In this file I have weekly, monthly and yearly goals that I work towards. I have sticky notes on my mirrors, behind doors and even in my kitchen with my goals written on them. I write down why I decided on these goals and use this as a mantra, a motivating statement for when I feel like nothing’s happening or when I feel like I’m getting nowhere- I can always look back at why I started it, the small things I’ve accomplished so far and redirect my passion and energy into the next set of goals waiting for me.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, it is the end product of hard work, dedication, imagination and determination. Start the movement and work towards something great. Even something as mundane as waking up 15mins earlier, drinking less soda or studying that extra 30mins can move mountains.

So, let’s set some goals that motivate you, that inspire you and make you want to work hard. Harness your sass and work for what you want. Dream big, be bold and stay true to you.