Focus on Your Top Priorities — First…

What’s Your Number One “#1″ Today? When you Focus On #1 First, you control the outcome of your day by determining in advance the most important and rewarding thing you will accomplish before the day is done.

Today I remember the anniversary of my victory in the Sydney Harbour 30km International Marathon Swim on 10th November 1991. It was my first race after my overall win in Atlantic City earlier in August when people said it was a fluke beating the Men’s World Champion. And after finishing first overall in Sydney Harbour I did not even realise what I had achieved for women in sport until my fellow competitors reminded me that I had overtaken the Men’s World Champ, Argentinian Diego Degano for the No. 1 World Ranking in the International Marathon Swimming Association World Series.

Dawn Fraser with Shelley, Manly Wharf 10/11/91

My focus was elsewhere that day with the Taylor-Made Team for Success. Dawn Fraser alongside me for the ride of her life in a scoodoo (yes it was a sight!) cheering me, yelling at me to pull my finger out. My husband, Peter Smith, overseeing my race plan knowing deep within himself that this win would change everything for us both personally and professionally. Graeme “Grub” Caroll, a local Manly-ite who assisted Peter with his superb knowledge and surf skills (who became my swim coach when I moved from Perth to Sydney in Jan ‘92). Funny when Peter had to tell Grub after he rocked up with a chair, book, umbrella, fishing rod and esky: “Mate! Not sure what you’re thinkin’ but you won’t be sitting down…believe me. So leave all that stuff behind. Let’s keep the esky…we’ll drink those beers after Shells wins.”

But my No. 1 Focus First on 10th November 1991 was with my New York Mom “Fran Schnarr” who was in her final days suffering with Lung Cancer. Nancy (Fran’s daughter) would normally be on my boat as my coach but her No.1 Focus First was by her Mom bedside.

So I re-directed my focus and all my energy on having fun, pure and simple. Enjoying what I love to do. Racing. Competing. Challenging myself. Pushing myself, Stretching myself out of my comfort zone knowing that today could be “the day” that Shelley Taylor-Smith learns something knew about herself and her character. And yes…Winning. I love to win. No matter where I place, as long as I had given 100%, prepared and planned to the best of my ability, left no stone unturned…then I had won. And that would make my New York Mom proud!

….And I let the Taylor-Made Success Team do what they do best..coach me, feed me, direct me, support me, encourage me and kick me in the pants if need be too. I am still amazed by what “WE” achieved that day. The Taylor-Made Success Team ROCKED!!!!!

Shelley & David O'Brien, Australia 1st and 2nd, 10/11/91

So as I stated in the beginning of this blog; when you Focus On #1 First, you control the outcome of your day by determining in advance the most important and rewarding thing you will accomplish before the day is done. Of course there are times when urgencies will need to be handled first.

However, before you start, identify and then schedule the earliest time possible to complete your #1 priority. My no.1 priority on that fateful day as is now an everyday habit is to be grateful for what I have and my commitment to do what I love passionately, patriotically and purposefully.

“The reality of life is that your perceptions — right or wrong — influence everything else you do. When you get a proper perspective of your perceptions, you may be surprised how many other things fall into place.”~ Roger Birkman

Today’s Champion Action:

1. How far down your priority list are you so far today? _________________________________

2. What one thing will you get done today to advance your most important goal? ___________________________________________________________

3. What priority deserves all of your attention next? _________________________________

Pursue Excellence ~ Reject Mediocrity today and you will produce greater results over time by consistently taking CHAMPION actions. Think Like A Champion today and you’re on your way to achieving your goals sooner.

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: …And 18yrs on I am still the only woman to hold a No.1 World Ranking for both men and women in the history of any sport worldwide (BBC TV 2002). Thanks Taylor-Made Success Team WE DID IT!!!

Forget dropping kilos or manically working out to get in tip top shape. All you have to do is change your mind. This week focus on feeling amazing. Treat yourself with kindness, shift your focus and watch how you can feel happier and healthier in just seven days!

You may want to stay in shape, but your mindset is focused on getting in shape. This makes you more susceptible to the fad diets and latest exercise gimmick on the market. You’re so focused on getting in shape that you’ll try almost anything regardless of how silly or difficult to follow it might seem, because you’re entirely focused on the short term goal.

4 questions to ask yourself before launching into your “Stay in Shape & Sizzle this Summer and Beyond 2010!”

Do you ever say “I’m going to eat more healthily … starting from Monday” every week? Do you ever say “Today is the start of the new healthier me!” If yes, then you may want to lose weight and get in shape for all the wrong reasons.

Don’t waste any more time biting off more than you can chew (and no, we don’t mean that piece of double-choc mud cake). Here are the four questions you should ask yourself before trying to losing weight, join the local community bootcamp or heck yeah; compete in the 20th Anniversary of the Rottnest Channel 20km Marathon Swim either as a solo/duo/relay….

1. Why do I want to lose weight? Why do I want to get in shape? Why do I want to swim to Rotto (and no the answer is not to get blotto)?
Ask it so… you’re completely honest with yourself.
People often talk about “wanting to lose a few” or “dropping five by bikini season”, but these reasons for losing weight are too vague. By asking why you want to lose weight, get fit and achieve the goal; you’re forcing yourself to get to the heart of your reason. Do you want to be healthy? Set a good example for your kids? Or something else? Only you know!

2. Are my goals realistic and achievable?
Ask it so… you’re not putting pressure on yourself.
Goals are an important part of getting in shape but make sure they’re reasonable. There’s no point aiming to lose 3kg week after week - it’s not possible or healthy. Just as much there’s no point training 10 workouts in the first week back at the gym or swim squad - it’s not good for you long term …despite your best intentions. If you’re unsure, run your goals past your Coach, partner or friend to see if you’re expecting too much of yourself. Remember, if you set out-of-this-world targets and don’t meet them, you’ll probably lose motivation and give up anyway. Keep them realistic and you’ll be well on your way to tackling your weight-loss/get-in-shape/Rotto Channel plan head-on.

3. What’s stopped me from achieving my goal before?
Ask it so… you learn from your mistakes.
By asking this question, you’ll definitely improve your chances of success the second (or third, fourth or fifth) time around. Your barriers could be anything from being time-poor, to feeling afraid of hitting the kitchen pantry, having one too many beers on a Friday night (knowing you have the 2hr killer session on Saturday morning); to turning to the wrong foods when you’re emotional or lacking a support network. Jot down a list of all your reasons so they never weigh you down (pun intended!) again.

4. How can I overcome the obstacles?
Ask it so… you can start achieving your goals.
Once you’ve identified your barriers, you can work out steps to overcome them. For example, if buying fast food lunches is holding you back, change this by doing a big cook-up on the weekend and eat leftovers for lunch instead. Or if you’re an emotional eater, try to work out what’s triggering your cravings or have a chat with a counsellor. Now if you get all fired up and then your passion fizzles out and you start hitting the snooze button resulting in missed gym/swim squad sessions, then it’s time to seriously consider why you’re failing to stay committed to what you said you would do. Look back and see if there is a behavioural pattern that you can identify. Don’t think of the barriers as setbacks – once you’ve identified them, you can turn your life around by overcoming them.

Wouldn’t you agree that life long health and fitness is what’s most important?

Of course creating an environment in your body and your mind is essential to achieving your goal. A person who is in shape in their 50s and 60s is a lot more impressive to me than someone who is lean and fit in their 20s and 30s. That’s because the dedication to maintaining the proper exercise plan and a sensible nutrition strategy for the rest of your life is rare to find. It’s a rare mindset.

Cheers to a happier and healthier you!
Shelley Taylor-Smith

P. S. If you want to achieve your goals with less overwhelm and greater energy levels, you might want to read what I have to say. It may help you with issues you are now facing. Click here to review past blog posts and read the articles now…

PPS: Want to Pick Shelley’s Brain? Email Shelley directly at champion@championmindset.com.au with subject header: “I want to Pick Shelley’s Brain” and send your enquiry/questions.