I have always enjoyed watching the Olympics. The abilities of those athletes always amazes me with new world records being reached every year. One of my favorite parts is watching the stories behind some of the athletes. Normal people who have worked extraordinarily hard and have stayed focused on their goal to achieve their dream. Years of little goals that have been set, missed, set again, and achieved all with one big goal in mind. To stand on that podium in the Olympic Games and hear their country’s national anthem played.
I think I write about goals a lot because it is something that I struggle with and something that I know is important. When I am at my best physically, emotionally, and spiritually, is when I am working toward specific goals. The need for achievement is engrained deep within me. I have a need for accomplishment. Not necessarily recognition, although sometimes that is nice, but a need to accomplish a goal for my own personal satisfaction, to know that I can do it. I have always been what some call “a dreamer”. I set big goals and believe in accomplishing big things. My failures have come in two categories. The failure to stay focused as I bounce from goal to goal, leaving a trail un unaccomplished goals in my wake. The second is the failure to set smaller goals that lead toward the big goal.
Reaching any goal in life, whether it be setting a new world record in the 100 meter fly, buying that new house, landing the dream job, losing 20 pounds, or just waking up on time every day; reaching every goal requires change. Change is hard. I get comfortable in areas of my life and it becomes easy to make excuses to stay the same, keeping on that “tried and true” path. The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has always bugged me. Just because it isn’t broke doesn’t mean it can’t be better. That doesn’t mean what I’ve been doing is wrong, it simply means that maybe there is a way to do it better. I don’t like doing things the same way every time. There is value in routine, but if that routine isn’t getting you where you want to be, then change the routine. Sometimes it requires some major change, a new coach or mentor, and some very dedicated hard work. Sometimes it is simply a matter of getting back to the basics.
For me, I need to get back to the basics:
Set a clear goal. Identify what it is that I want to accomplish. A goal that challenges me and pulls me forward. Find some pictures that represent that goal and put them in front of me. Write out the goal and read it several times a day. Read it out loud so I can hear it, not just in my head.
Next, set some smaller goals that work toward that big goal. What are the major steps to reach that goal? Are there “sub-goals” that need to be met? If your goal is to run a marathon, break it down into running a 5k, a half marathon, etc., but keep the goal of the full marathon in front of you all the time.
I need to take control of my calendar. What do I need to do this week, or even today, to reach these smaller goals? One of my biggest struggles is allowing the “urgent” to overcome the important. I set my calendar and goals for the week. I know what I need to do, but then life happens. Things come up that seem more important than what is on my calendar. Sometimes that is true, but many times it is just a distraction to keep me from doing what I need to do. When I was in college, my apartment was always the cleanest the night before a test. I knew I needed to study for that test, but the apartment needs to be cleaned. The reality is the apartment could wait until after the test and that “need” to clean the apartment was just an excuse to not do the hard thing and study. Define your priorities and set your calendar accordingly. Build in time for the unexpected or “urgent”. Don’t schedule every minute of every day. I like lists. Instead of scheduling specific times for specific activities, I have a list of the activities that need to get done. I like the feeling of accomplishment as I take each item off that list.
It is good to have long range goals. As we set our goals and begin to put them into action, remember that changes are made and goals are reach by consistent daily action. I like to sit down every Sunday and look at my calendar and think through what I am going to do and how I am going to live my life these next Six and a Half Days. I haven’t done that in awhile. Today seems like a good day to start.
