Your Goals and Momentum
If only the path to our goals were as clear as the metaphors we use to describe them…
It doesn’t matter if your new goal is to lose weight, run more, or get out of debt this year. You can picture yourself on a game board with your goal in one direction and failure in the other and you can easily see which way you need to go.
You may not have the dietician’s handbook memorized but you know you can’t eat ice cream at bedtime. You can’t run a mile if you don’t put on your running shorts. And, you can’t get ahead with money if you just cross your fingers and hope the transaction goes through when you’re out to eat for the 3rd time in a week.
You can read countless books about how to do what you are trying to do. You can throw all the money at it that you can find and chances are you’ll not be far from where you started. You need cumulative decisions in your favor. You need momentum and momentum starts with one decision. One action.
You know when you just wake up on your day off and your still there in the bed with the warm fluffy covers pulled up to your neck. The room is slightly cold and you know it’s going to be uncomfortable when you stand up. That force it takes to move yourself from the bed to the standing position is the same force you need to lose the weight. It’s what you need to run the race you’re thinking about. It’s what you need to pay off that debt. It’s simply the ability to make the hard choice when everything around you persuades you otherwise. And then, do it again.
The holidays are over. We all get a fresh start. Get some momentum this week. Start.
On a personal note, I’m happy to say that I finished the Atlanta FA 50K this week! It feels great to see some payoff from so many hours of running. I’m working on the full race report to share with you next week.
Happen to the World,
Bradley
What is it you need momentum on? Publish your goal and I guarantee you’ll have a much better chance of taking action on it. Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re working on!
You are truly an inspiration! Congratulations on the 50K. That is HUGE!! My goal this week has just been not to go ballistic. Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve almost made it.
Haha! I’m glad you haven’t went ballistic yet, Kathy! And thanks, the race was great. I’m hoping to do another in Feb. When do you start back to class?
Nice job on the 50K!!! Impressive. There’s a really interesting TedTalk by Derek Siver called “Keep your goals to yourself” which is about not telling others about your goals. Check it out to see what you agree with and what not. It really got me thinking.
Just watched it Camilla…very interesting. It goes against my map of the world so I’ve gotta think it over. I’ve heard so many people say that telling your goals will keep you accountable. Maybe it’s time for an experiment!