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On the Road Again

I've decided to start running in the mornings, and there's a remote chance that I may live to tell about it. No intelligent person would start running in November in New England, but I've been known to do a number of dumb things in my life. (Stupid "Strawberry Shortcake" tattoo.) I woke up one day and decided that it was time to set a goal or two to improve my overall health and wellness, and running seemed a great way to do it.

After looking at the 2008 calendar of local running events, I chose two progressive targets. There's a 10K in late February in Hyannis, MA. That would tie my record for the longest organized event I've completed. (The one where the woman passed me pushing a jog stroller, calling back "You can do it!") There's also the 7-mile Falmouth Road Race in August.

It's great to think about completing those races, but for now, I'm just happy to be getting started. As I've headed out over the last few mornings, I've noticed a few things. First, I'm incredibly slow. Second, holy crap it's cold outside. Third, there are a lot of parallels between running and goal pursuits in general.

This week, I thought I'd share a few quick goal achievement tips that come from the running world:

Make it a daily habit. Whether running or tackling your goals, consistency is the name of the game. If you want to get a better job, you'll make more progress by doing a little bit each day than trying to cram in a bunch of work only so often. Try to chip away at your goal a little bit each day.

Take breaks, but don't break your routine. Nobody can keep up a peak level of effort forever. Don't risk the burnout syndrome. By not applying some sort of "relief valve", some goal pursuits such as dieting and financial management end up exhibiting a yo-yo effect. Factor in some down time or play time and step away from the goal pursuit every once in awhile. But once you're done, be sure to get back to work with renewed purpose and energy.

Strength comes from the heart not in the head. I find that if I focus on my sore muscles and laboring lungs while I run, I get demotivated and I slow down. When I think about my heart, however, I can feel a surge of strength. (Maybe that's last night's cheeseburger, but whatever.) In terms of your goals, the heart-part is your vision, your motivation, your desired outcome. Draw strength from that rather than focus on the hard work and the challenges that stand in the way.

Drop the clock. When just starting out, there's no need to focus on timing your achievement. If you're 40 and don't have a million dollars in the bank, so what? If you're 50 and haven't finished writing the Great American novel yet, so what? Focus on the accomplishment and not how long it's taking or how much further along or faster you'd really like to be. You'll get there in the end.

The right tools make the difference. My running gear includes good shoes, my trusty iPod, and a few good maps. I would count nutritional advice and recommended training regimens in this category, as well. What knowledge, skills, and resources will you need to properly achieve your goals? If you don't have them - go out and get them. These things are a critical part of what you need to succeed.

Don't get lazy. When running, lazy gets you hurt. Yesterday, I was navigating through a wooded area when I saw that I would need to duck around a branch that stuck out into my path. I was tired, so I figured I'd cut it closer than normal. I was rewarded with a jolt when my headphone cord caught on the branch and nearly ripped my ears off. Now I was tired, in pain, and embarrassed. Remain diligent when pursuing your goals, and always try to give 100% effort.

Hills suck, but they're a part of life. I wish that I could tell you that being successful in your life would be easy. Unfortunately, anything worth doing or obtaining in life is at the end of an uphill roller coaster. The trick is to mentally attack the hills with even more determination that the flat parts of your journey. If you actually increase your effort, you'll make it to the top of life's challenges. It won't be fun, but it can be done.

It's fun to do it with a friend. Because of my schedule, I'm forced to run by myself most of the time. The truth is, I'd rather be part of a running group. When you get the chance to involve others in your own goal pursuits, take it. The extra support and energy that you get from joining forces can help you stay on track and power through to the end. I always seem to run a bit faster and stronger with the extra adrenaline and momentum of the crowd come race day.

Nike was right. Just do it.

Thanks for giving me a few minutes to share my own observations on the similarities between running and pursuing any goal. I'd love to hear your thoughts on how these areas do and don't resonate with your own experiences. What are you currently trying to accomplish in your life? Trying to get in shape, get a new job, buy a house, get out of debt, plan a safari in Africa, start a charity, shoot par, or be a better parent? Do any of the recommendations above jump out at you? (Much like tree branches jump out at me?)

If so, drop me a line at contact@icanthrive.com. I'd love to hear all about it.

The final tip I'd leave you with is to remember the THRIVE! motivational slogan for the new millennium: Kick Ass Every Day. Whatever that means in your own life, I hope you can embrace the passion, motivation, energy, optimism, determination, and hope that simple phrase means to all of us in THRIVE! nation. We all want to see you succeed in reaching your full potential!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find a pair of wireless headphones.

Related Links

Quotes of the Week

"Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance."
Bruce Barton

"No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable."
Sir Roger Bannister

"I like to run because second helpings are yummy."
Jennifer Kramer, Ironman Triathlete and GGW reader

Coaching Quickie: On the Road Again

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: We Gather Together
What part of the THRIVE! equation do you bring to the table?

(29%) Passion
(00%) Expertise
(00%) Teamwork
(71%) All of the above! I rock!

If you missed it, you can read last week's newsletter online here.