Who doesn’t struggle with goals?
Picture two nations at war today.
Today and every day. No one at the same time lives in both but clearly both are visible from anywhere.
These Two Nations are called:
Procrasti “Nation” and Determi “Nation”
A vast wilderness separates these two nations. This wilderness is called wanderlust. It is a place to call home with no plans to leave, no plans at all. Hard to leave as most don’t believe they are actually living there. This describes where I find myself. No plans yet but maybe someday.
In D Nation they get up early in the morning and run in the cold rain.
Are there Keys to effective Goal-setting?
Goal setting is only effective if actions follow them.
Like any set of keys you may own there are numerous keys to choose from. Only the ones that start your engine and move you forward count. Goal setting and goal doing are two different locations. One should follow the other but the last one is more important.
Develop a clear vision. If the goal is clear and the reason is clear to you, the rest maybe easier but plan for harder. If the end doesn’t justify the means then ask yourself, “why am I doing this?” The probability of getting it done will be left in the dust or in an armchair lost under the cushion. Move on to the next goal.
Write Down Your Goals: Out of your head and into your eyes.
Get it Done: “Seize the day”! What nation are you living in?
Eyes forward: What are you looking at? “I can see it from here” view.
Review: What’s done and what’s next? Be productively objective.
Assess: How did that go? You should seek feedback from trusted sources.
Repeat: Begin again.
Starting From The Beginning
While I contemplated my own lack of goal setting during the days leading up to my 59th birthday I had to ask myself this question. What is stopping you from achieving more with your life? The answer comes as no surprise here. The answer to this question points clearly to only one person. That person is me!
In September of this year following my mother’s passing it occurred to me that I have set and achieved some benchmark goals along this route of life. Married my wife at the age of twenty and now thirty nine years later we have three sons and four grandchildren. At the age of thirty nine I ran my first marathon. At the age of fifty five I had retired from my job which lasted thirty six years. Took up ultra marathon running of which I have ran six separate races and started a “mile a day” everyday running streak which is now on day 1425 with over 4700 miles. As a bonus I lost the weight equal to my age in pounds. I did make most of what I challenged myself to do. What more do I need to do and what is it that I think I could do? What is the reward? Will the prize at the end justify the struggle to achieve? Will there be a struggle? Are they really goals if there is no struggle to achieve? Do they count as well?
Here’s my list….thus far.
1. Start list of 59 Goals.
2. Start website 59goals.com
3. Start Podcast of 59goals.com
4. 59 Podcasts (minimum one per week).
5. Continue to run One Mile a Day Streak
6. Thankfulness: Gratitude Diary (daily).
7. 59 Litres of additional water (13 gallons).
8. 59 Kilometres of Swimming (36.6 miles).
9. Read/Audio 59 different books in one year.
10. Watch 59 movies/documentaries never seen before.
11. Visit 59 locations never seen before.
12. Plant 59 new trees.
13. Meet 59 new people.
14. Smile 59 times more.
15. Diary of a 59 year old. Not wimpy, I think?
16. 59 hours of practice on mindfulness.
17. 59 people to suggest additional goals.
59. Finish List!