My last post I wrote my fitness goals and I got some pretty interesting responses. Cheryl, of Geek Girl USA responded with “awe man . . . now I really HAVE to set some goals.” Her response made me think she’s got some goals in the back of her mind just waiting to be met, and she just hasn’t taken those first steps to make them happen (Cheryl, please correct me if I’m wrong in the comments 
).
My guess is, this is a similar situation for a lot of people. Actually setting a goal means you have to put some effort into achieving them, so it’s really easier just to not set them in the first place. On the other hand, I don’t think so much is the work or effort that people fear, as it is the idea that they might not meet their goals. If we set a goal and don’t meet it, we equate this to failure.
I’ll just disqualify that right now by saying, just because you didn’t meet your goal the first time you tried, doesn’t mean you won’t ever meet it. This is the third time I’ve trained for a marathon. The first two times, I only made it to 6 miles and 14 miles, respectively, before I had to stop because of physical problems (herniated disc and broken ankle, respectively). Now, I haven’t run the full marathon yet, but I’ve ran 22 miles in my training, which is a lot further than I achieved the first two times.
For those of you who have things you would like to achieve, but have allowed them to sit on the back shelf in a dark corner of your mind somewhere, I’m going to give you two things you can do right now to get started on those things without actually committing to those goals. Neither one of these things require you to voice your goal. Yet. These are for preparation only.
Do you think you can’t do it?
Maybe one of the reasons you haven’t put that goal into place is because you think you can’t do it. Maybe your reasons for “can’t” are because of time limitations, money limitations, past failures, or lack of skill. You think of the reasons you can’t do them, and put that goal back on the shelf. Here’s my suggestion to you: turn your thinking around. Instead of thinking why you can’t do something, start thinking of why you CAN.
Do it! You can write it in a list, think of it quietly or speak them out loud, but start doing this. In other words, play “devil’s advocate” to yourself. It’s problem solving, people, by making yourself think of why or how you CAN do something, that logical side of your brain will have a heyday with this!
Think also of someone you love. If they came to you with their goal or dream, and asked you how they might be able to achieve it, you would get to work trying to help them figure out ways that they could achieve that thing. Do this same thing for yourself. You deserve it.
Undoubtedly, you won’t be able to do all of your goal right now, or you won’t be able to do it as well as you like, but that’s not what I’m asking you to do. When you start thinking of how you can do something, you should only be thinking of how you can begin to do something. This action item (change your thinking to “I can”) does not require you to commit to anything yet. It only is meant to get you thinking differently about that thing and the potential of you being able to do it.
Where’s your inspiration?
Here’s the second action item. Find inspiration for doing that thing. But don’t just find one source of inspiration. Find MANY sources. LOOK for it. SEEK it out in your daily life. And create a collection of these things. Maybe they are online stories of other people who have done the same thing or something similar. Create a document with links to these stories. Maybe they are images. Create a Pinterest account and start pinning things on a board that’s titled “inspiration for my goal” or whatever title you find fits. Hang pictures up in your office. Keep a box filled with little reminders. Whatever way you choose to collect these sources of inspiration, do so.
Here’s the thing. You don’t have to go out of your way to find these sources of inspiration if you are willing to open your ears, your eyes, and your heart to everything in your day. Be observant and start thinking about how what you hear, see and feel are connected in some way to your goal.
Again, this is not an action item that requires you to commit to anything yet. It’s just inspiration awareness.
So, what do you think?
I think I made this pretty darn simple (as I pat myself on the back). What do you think? Might you do this?
**Treasure chest image by timtom.ch on Flickr. Used by creative commons license.
First of all I signed up for the email subscription so I am not always the last to the party. Woo Hoo! Secondly you are correct. I do have goals that are sitting in the back of my mind. You nailed it when you said that I have not set them officially because I might just fail. I never really thought about it that way, but I am thinking that you are correct. That changes today. You are making me change that. I will beging to set goals. If I miss the goal, I will dust myself off and try again. Thanks for giving me the push I needed.
Cheryl, I think this is absolutely wonderful!! There is no time like the present, is there, when it comes to doing what we long to do.
Can I tell you again I have total blog envy? hehe.. if your designer friend wants to do some inexpensive work.. send me her my way!
Love the Henry Ford quote.. one of my favorites! I think your advice is so true; most people see the “can’t” side of things, myself included. I can’t run more than 3 miles. Why not? cause honestly, I don’t want it badly enough, not because I “can’t”. I follow so many runner blogs who have such amazing inspiring stories and then they went from out of shape to marathoners. It’s not an uncommon occurrence, but you have to find something you are passionate about, for sure!
Thanks Jennifer–I will write you about the blog thing.
I’ve struggled with the can’t thing too. It’s something you have to constantly remind yourself of. I like how you are honest with yourself on the “can’t” of your running 3 miles. If that’s the case, maybe you should try another aerobic exercise? Maybe biking? Anything aerobic is good. We shouldn’t force ourselves to do fitness we don’t like or we won’t last at it anyway.
One more comment on your blog and I’ll leave it alone.. hehe.
Do you have an option somewhere for people to subscribe to comments? I always forget to go back and check on sites. I know on mine, once you comment you can click a box to get email updates once you get a reply..
No, I don’t have that yet, but I need to get it. I will work on that.
Awesome article very inspiring. And I love the wisdom in Henry Ford’s quote.
I like that quote too. Thanks for coming over.
Setting goals are so important! I’m such a nerd that I have a permanent page for my current goals….
Aha! I will have to check out that page.
Bethany, great blog. I do like your concept of “inspiration awareness”. If only we could take it in pill form! Ultimately the inspiration and motivation must come from within, so everyone can use their own powerful imagination to maintain their motivation.
We teach people to imagine themselves in the future having already achieved their goals…how great that feels…
Tapping into the imagination daily takes no sweat, no real energy, but the results pack a serious punch!
Thanks Wendy. You write about seeing yourself in the future as already having achieved that goal . . . I actually do this alot and it really happens. THe other day, I imagined two “me’s” in the future–the one who had achieved, and the one who had not achieved or even bothered trying to achieve, and we all had a very interesting conversation. Try that one out.
Great inspirational post. I am finding more ways to “why I can do”
Yay!! I’m so glad, Bindu. That reminds me. I’ve been wanting to ask you to crochet me something else. . . I will stop by your etsy store soon.
Thanks Bethany. Please let me know what you like to have.
Thanks Bethany. This is a truly inspirational post – exactly what I needed!
You are very welcome, Nicole! I’m glad you liked it and the timing was perfect
Thanks for stopping in.
I’ve spent and entire year getting back in touch with the things that inspire me to write. So many times I think we put so much effort into closing ourselves off to possibilities, when really all we have to do is direct that negative effort in a positive direction. Thanks for a another great post!
Jeri, this is a very insightful thought. “We put so much effort into closing ourselves off to possibilities . . .” how true!! I have to think further on this one.
Thanks again, Bethany, for a great and inspirational post!