Reaching Goals
I personally have to make lists of “to do” items, goals, or even things I wish to do (like a bucket list). Seeing these items on paper or a computer screen and having the ability to physically scratch them out or delete them really works for me. On the other hand, maybe telling others of your goals (keeping you accountable) might work better for you. Whatever the method to achieving them, goals do not just get accomplished by crossing themselves off or disappearing in to thin air like a ninja. Rather they sometimes take the road less traveled, require hard work, sacrifice, difficult choices, or even help from others. They say “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, well either was being able to bench press 405lbs, earn a six figure annual salary, lose 50lbs, have the ability to type like a computer robot (unless of course you were my 7th grade keyboard instructor who I swear must have been part keyboard herself….sorry Mrs. Huntziker), or even having the ability to perform the splits (I am going to date myself and say like Jean Claude Van Damme). Even Van Damme in the movies and in reality did not reach the full splits over night. Rope pull by rope pull, day by day, he finally looked like a smiley face suspended between two chairs. Difference is, on the movie screen it took 2 minutes of footage for him to attain them but actually took months and months for me personally to achieve the full splits.
I am going to use reaching the splits as my theme for this article because it is a perfect example of how I saw something and wanted it immediately but had no clue or idea the true cost, time required, pain involved, or how to get there. Truth is, I had no road map to get to my goal. Which brings me back full circle on ways to reach goals.
First and foremost, I made attaining the splits a priority (see “Never Enough Time” on next weeks post for more info on setting priorities). Secondly, I asked others who could do the splits on their advice, technique, and or routines. Thirdly, I investigated further by becoming informed via books (yes, I have dated my self a second time) on stretching, kinesiology, and or how the body and muscles work. The fourth thing I did was to pool all the research and advice and set specific goals or tasks that would lead to the end goal (i.e. stretch every night, hold each stretch 1 minute, after two weeks stretch twice a day, etc.). One has to get to A before B and B before reaching C and so on. Disclaimer** If reaching the splits happens to be one of your goals as well, avoid A to C before B! It hurts something fierce! The fifth thing I did was to START. This sounds like the easiest and most basic thing but actually it is or can be the hardest part because YOU or someone else says, “there is always tomorrow”. Well, if the clock has not hit midnight, I would say there’s is always still TODAY! Staying focused, disciplined, and on the road toward your goal is difficult as well, but just starting is crucial.
Think of a goal that you truly want and will have fun achieving, make it a priority, surround yourself with those who have made the trek down that road before, gather all helpful information on how to reach it, set tasks or steps that get you closer and closer to the end goal. And Finally……. START! ATTACK it head on. Then cross it off that physical or mental list, and pat yourself on the back because you did it and the cost was worth it.
By Blue Stiley
