"Round-To-Its" - Why Do They and We Procrastinate?

Zig Ziglar is a firm believer in goals and goal setting.passed - but I had, and with flying colors.
He warns us, though, that if we don't take action onI did get 'round to it', and since then have attended
our goals, we are just another "Round-To-It." "I'llworkshops and classes to earn the Continuing
work on it when I get `round to it."Education Credits necessary for renewal of my ACE
As I prepared for my move, I sorted through myCertification every two years.
myriad of books, and realized that, even though II am telling you this, because last week I received a
feel that I am disciplined and a goal setter and getter,whiny call from another instructor at the club. You
I found quite a few good books that I started andsee, the club has finally decided to follow through and
never got 'round to' finishing. What a shame! Isuspend those who are not certified. This one, along
donated many of these to the local library in hopeswith quite a few others are "up in arms" about this.
that someone else will read them through to the endShe started right in asking me, "Are you certified?"
and benefit.When I answered, "Yes, with ACE, since 1995," she
A different scenario with the same "Round-To-It"asked how I got certified. I explained that I had sent
theme, but a happier outcome for me, concerns myfor the study materials, studied and took the exam
American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certification as a(it was at least a 2 1/2 hour test). She went on to
Group Fitness Instructor.say that our club was pressuring her to get certified
One of the clubs where I teach the majority of myand the time was nearly up. Did I think it was fair?
classes has been sending out notices for the pastI was the wrong person to ask that question. I
five years that as instructors we must be certified -asked her how long she had been teaching - five
either through their own certification program oryears - and why she hadn't worked to become
another nationally recognized program.certified before this. She hadn't gotten 'round to'
I started teaching in 1991 and for four years wasfinding out how to become certified. Her excuse was
certified by one fitness group. At that time mostthat she didn't know who to ask. And now she was
clubs did not require certification. I felt that beingin a bind, because the club wasn't going to put up
certified not only gave me credibility but alsowith "Round-To-Its" any longer. In her defense, she
knowledge that I could put to use in my classes.isn't the only one. There are many others complaining
Both have been true for me.bitterly.
In 1995, I set a goal to become certified by the topIt made me realize how easy it is to be a
fitness organization, ACE. This involved taking the"Round-To-It" and made me sit down and write a list
hardest exam I have ever taken. I purchased theof goals that I have already started getting 'round to'.
study guides, sample test and the huge book thatSo, I challenge you to consider whether or not you
covered all the necessary material. I mapped out myhave "Round-To-Its" lurking in the background.
plan of study - a chapter a week - and spent theExpose them, write them down and get 'round to it'!
whole summer learning everything my brain couldYou'll be glad you did.
remember. The test was so hard, I wasn't sure I had