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The Need for Short Term Goals
Over the last couple of weeks I have mentioned that I am preparing for a marathon on November 1. I haven't said much about the training and the fact that I am spending over 3 hours a week right now running and the time will increase more and more in the coming weeks. I don't exactly enjoy my training sessions each time they arrive, but I know I need to put in the miles to be prepared, but once I start running and get a mile or so under my belt I begin to refocus on the reason why I'm running and I've never finished a run I wish I hadn't begun. So what? What does this mean to you.
Preparing for this marathon has reminded me of the importance of short term goals. For the past several years I've wanted to run a marathon, but wanting something and actually taking steps to get there are two very different things. A lot of people want to get out of debt, but they don't want to make temporary sacrifices like working more hours to increase income, or cutting their budget to reduce expenses. The same could be said for dieting, or furthering your education. Really any goal that a person may have. Wanting it is not enough. In the past few years I didn't "want" to run a marathon enough to do something about it, actually train for it. Maybe I thought I would miraculously get in good enough shape to run one, without having to put in the time to train.
Every short term goal that is worth anything to you will require some sacrifice on your part. And yes, in the beginning when you force yourself to begin the actions it takes to reach your goals it feels like sacrifice. It's not always comfortable. Last Sunday I had to run 11 miles. I didn't feel well that morning, my calves still ached from my previous run, and I had several other things I wanted and needed to get accomplished that morning, but with my short term goal of the marathon on the horizon I knew I had to get my run in. I put my excuses aside and began to run. About an hour into my run I realized how much every other goal that I've ever had has been very similar to this experience. It begins with an ambitious idea and a lot of times that's exactly where it stops.
For those who actually reach their goals, they develop a plan, a budget, or schedule and stick to it even when it's uncomfortable. Each time you experience the discomfort of moving towards your goals you become a little more mature as you realize this discomfort is actually strengthening you and allowing your goals to become a little closer to reality until one day you pay more attention to the fact your goal is just over the horizon and the sacrifice and discomfort are just a nuisance that have to be put aside to reach your goal.
For whatever your goal is, financial, physical, personal, or the combination of all of them, know that the sacrifice will be worth it. Realize that simply having a goal, or thinking about your goals will not move you any closer to reaching them. What are you doing to move you closer to your short term goals?
Preparing for this marathon has reminded me of the importance of short term goals. For the past several years I've wanted to run a marathon, but wanting something and actually taking steps to get there are two very different things. A lot of people want to get out of debt, but they don't want to make temporary sacrifices like working more hours to increase income, or cutting their budget to reduce expenses. The same could be said for dieting, or furthering your education. Really any goal that a person may have. Wanting it is not enough. In the past few years I didn't "want" to run a marathon enough to do something about it, actually train for it. Maybe I thought I would miraculously get in good enough shape to run one, without having to put in the time to train.
Every short term goal that is worth anything to you will require some sacrifice on your part. And yes, in the beginning when you force yourself to begin the actions it takes to reach your goals it feels like sacrifice. It's not always comfortable. Last Sunday I had to run 11 miles. I didn't feel well that morning, my calves still ached from my previous run, and I had several other things I wanted and needed to get accomplished that morning, but with my short term goal of the marathon on the horizon I knew I had to get my run in. I put my excuses aside and began to run. About an hour into my run I realized how much every other goal that I've ever had has been very similar to this experience. It begins with an ambitious idea and a lot of times that's exactly where it stops.
For those who actually reach their goals, they develop a plan, a budget, or schedule and stick to it even when it's uncomfortable. Each time you experience the discomfort of moving towards your goals you become a little more mature as you realize this discomfort is actually strengthening you and allowing your goals to become a little closer to reality until one day you pay more attention to the fact your goal is just over the horizon and the sacrifice and discomfort are just a nuisance that have to be put aside to reach your goal.
For whatever your goal is, financial, physical, personal, or the combination of all of them, know that the sacrifice will be worth it. Realize that simply having a goal, or thinking about your goals will not move you any closer to reaching them. What are you doing to move you closer to your short term goals?
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