Success Happens When Are Willing to Work Hard For It
“This year is going to be different!”
That statement has never been more true for everyone than it is this year. Who would have ever thought we’d be fighting a contagious disease that put most US States in lockdown while the world around us locked down too. Things are changing and they are changing fast. But while the world around us changes, we can change for the better too. It all starts with setting a goal. By setting goals, success will happen.
We’ve heard all the tips on how success comes about:
- Write down your goals and you’ll be more successful.
- Post them where you’ll see them every day to stay motivated.
- Set achievable goals.
- Tell someone what you desire so you have accountability.
These motivational mantras are so common that I bet you knew what I was going to say before I said it. But they’re common because guess what—They actually do help — most people.
But saying a goal out loud isn’t what makes it happen. Writing it down doesn’t make it happen either. Standing on top of a mountain and proclaiming it for the world to hear…still doesn’t make that goal become a reality. Those are simply reminders of your decision to make a change. They will serve to feed your desire, but that’s only part of the equation….and sadly, the easiest part. To see the real change you must take action.
Ultimately, setting a goal only works if you do.
No one else can do the thing for you. YOU have to push yourself….set your goals, put in the work. The first step and all be it the easiest, is to think about what it is you want. What changes do you want to see in your life? Where is there room for improvement?
We have to decide to change. Then write it down and as you are seeing it each day…or repeating it to yourself, your desire for success will increases. You know what you want and wrote it down. Then you posted it where you could see it daily. So you’re all done, right?
The short answer is no. If that was all it took, we’d all be millionaires sitting on tropical beaches somewhere….or whatever your version of that looks like. But not all is lost…keep reading for some inspirational (I hope) tips on making this crazy year YOUR BEST YEAR YET.
To set a goal you’re going to start with the end in mind and work your way back to where you are right now. This is often referred to as reverse engineering. It’s a great way to set micro-goals along the way and see change happening along the way.
MY GOAL: Compete in a 1/2 Ironman Race
I read recently that if you want to successfully complete an IRONMAN race, you should take at least a year to train. I’ve tried shorter time frames with no success because I pushed too hard and got injured. So this time I’m going to take my time…go slow…and enjoy the ride. I have a whole year to train. A 1.2-mile open water swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride (YIKES!!!), followed by a 13.1-mile run. To be honest, as I write this down and see to numbers my stomach aches. But I am determined. This time I will be a success. I will start from the end and work my back to where I am right now.
FYI: right now I can’t run more than 3.5 miles and I can’t bike more than about 16 miles. Swimming has even taken a hit this year, as I haven’t swum since February. Clearly I have some work to do. But that’s ok….it’s all about making a change and this is why my plan is a year out.
Here’s My Plan:
- Step 5: Finally, show up to and compete in the race.
- Step 4: Update and adjust the plan in small increments along the way to adjust for unforeseeable events.
- Step 3: Follow the plan. (AKA–the Discipline. The hardest part of achieving any goal)
- Step 2: Find a plan that covers all three disciplines without killing me in the process.
- Step 1: Determine which race I want to compete in (I have already picked it out).
This is very simplified, and your action plan might have more or fewer steps than mine, but the method is the same. Start with the end in mind and work your way back to where you are now.
Find someone who has your back.
This is bigger than just telling a friend that you want to run a 1/2 Ironman in 2021 — it’s actually finding someone and working with them daily or weekly. It can be a family member, a friend or co-worker, or even a coach. But no matter who you find, make sure it is someone who really understands and will support (AKA PUSH YOU) when the going gets tough…because it’s going to get tough.
I have a whole team to help me. They may or may not compete in a race with me, but I know that without them, it would be impossible to achieve the goal.
They are my family and my allies. They stand by me day in and day out, not just saying “you can do it!” from the sideline, but they getting out there to inspire me in their own ways. And I know that without my team, this dream wouldn’t even get off the ground.
And lastly, and I can’t stress this enough, make sure your plan/goals are fluid. Life happens…I think we’ve all learned a little about that this year…and we can be much more successful when we roll with the punches.
What about you…What’s Your Goal?
