Goal Setting and Commitment

I wanted to write a little about goal setting and commitment today. As you get into the heart of your training it’s good to revisit why you’ve made a commitment to train for your event. Many times we set goals with very good intentions and then realize as we pursue these goals that it may be difficult to stick with them. The New Year Resolutions are an example of this. Many times, by the end of the year we forget what we said we were going to do!

 Here are a few ideas that can help prevent forgetting our goals:

1. Once a month, revisit your goals or New Year Resolutions. This means that you should have written down your goals or represented them visually through collage or drawing.

2. When you revisit your goals remind yourself why you made these goals. What was the purpose? Why is this important?

3. Let other people know what your goals are and how they can support you in reaching these goals.

4. How can you enjoy your process in reaching your goals? This will help you sustain your ability to maintain your commitment.

In my years of coaching and helping others reach their goals, I’ve seen that people who generally set a plan and then follow the plan with enthusiasm and solid commitment, reach their goals successfully and with tons of joy and support. The amount of effort and commitment you put into any activity in your life will bring back positive returns. And the more you enjoy the process the larger your chances are that you’ll continue with the activity for the rest of your lives.

So, here are some reminders of what will get you to your goals successfully:

1. If you are training with a group show up to all workouts on time to get the most of the workouts and to support your other teammates who are there. You also get more support this way

2. Do all the workouts (the only guarantee of doing a half-marathon, marathon or triathlon successfully is doing the workouts)

3. Communicate with your coach or support people if you need any help or are having difficulties

4. Have fun while doing it all and remind yourself what your goals are

5. Remember that endurance sports are a metaphor for life. The way you show up and do them does reflect how you show up in other areas of your life

6. Reflect and recommit to training (even if you already feel 100% committed)

7. You deserve to feel happy, healthy, accomplished and surrounded by positive community so choose wisely who you spend your time

8. Smile when you workout and enjoy the ability you have to be physical