Ever make a goal so BIG it scares you???

It's December 27, 2012.  The New Year is just around the corner and everyone seems to be thinking about their resolutions.  You know the usual: lose 50#, get healthy, start exercising, run a marathon, run a 5K, get a better job, start college, graduate college, find the right mate...  The list is endless, and I'm sure you have made at least one of those in your life time.  Or maybe your resolution was something BIGGER or completely different.  How many times have you made a resolution and NOT stuck to it.  For me the answer to that question would likely be the same amount of years I have been aware of making New Year's Resolutions.

I actually don't believe in making those anymore.  Why?  Because inevitably, like 99% of the people out there, I forget about them.  However, I am great at setting goals and following through.  I make goals all through out the year, and my big scary goals usually have little goals to achieve while I'm working towards the big one.  In my opinion that is the only way to get it done!  So while you are thinking about what you want in your life for the coming year, here is something to keep in mind;  keep it SMART:  Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound.

This 5 tips in setting goals will help you (and me) keep us focused on what is important and where our energy should be focused. So several months ago,  I decided to sign up for the Fuller Center for Housing 400 Mile Spring Ride.  It is SPECIFIC.  It is MEASURABLE.  Given enough time to train it is ACHIEVABLE and REALISTIC and it is certainly TIME BOUND.  I gave myself 6 months to train; which was plenty of time. And inside of this HUGE goal were several little goals: Learn to change a tire and do basic bike maintenance, ride a certain amount of miles a week working up to larger numbers to get my saddle ready for the long ride ahead, raise the amount of money I am committed to raising, and things like that.  Simple, right?

It was a HUGE goal to set, but with 6 months time, it was certainly attainable.  Then something happened.  I wanted to run again.  I decided I wanted to become an ultra-marathoner and I wanted it NOW. Ya, I get like that.  I am famous for making a decision like that and doing it with little to no training just to say "I did it".  I decided to start "running" the mountains around town to get ready for this 50K race that is in January.  I gave myself less than 2 months to train for a 50K race.  I just had knee surgery in July and haven't even done any walks longer than 6 miles!  What was I thinking?  I did 9 miles up in the hills. I did 10 miles up in the hills.  I was doing great. Then I did 14 miles on flat and boy was I hurting. Then I did another 6 miles up in the hills and felt great.  But my knee was beginning to hurt again.  And I lost my training for my bike ride.  I lost focused. I can't stay focused on TWO HUGE GOALS at the same time.   Did this 50K in January fit the SMART goals process?  Not so much.  I know I could do it, but I would pay a hefty price for it.  Was I willing to put my body through that.  Was it the smart thing to do?

While also making a decision to do this 50K in January, I also decided I wanted to do 12 long foot races (a mixture of marathons and ultra marathons) this year.  That is a tall order.  That tall order also had me doing a marathon in Florida just 1 week before the 400 mile bike ride.  Yes, I am crazy.

Yesterday my head, body and heart had a meeting.  They decided that I was crazy.  It's one thing to set a BIG SCARY GOAL that excites you and makes you feel alive while you are achieving it. It is something completely different, to set goals that set you up for failure or worse....INJURY!  So last night, I discussed this with my amazingly supportive hubby.  We agreed.  No ultra marathon in January.  I will remain focused on training for my Spring Ride.  No marathon a week before I do 400 miles; I need to save my legs for 400 miles of bike riding.  I have 3 other chances to do an ultra marathon this year.  I will train properly for them, AFTER my spring ride.  I will get in the races I can get in and if it equals 12, then great.   If not, that is okay too.  My health comes first.

So there you have it. The perfect example of setting HUGE SCARY GOALS then giving yourself the benefit of re-evaluating in a healthy way.  It is perfectly okay to set a goal and then think about it again and re-evaluate.  It is perfectly okay to set a SMART goal and find yourself coming a little short of reaching that goal.  It's not the destination, its the journey that counts. So as you look at the New Year coming around, it might help to keep these things in mind.  Be patient with yourself.  Listen to you intuition.  Find someone you trust to bounce ideas off of.  And never be afraid to re-evaluate and learn from your journey!

Have a very Happy New Year!!!!!  Here's to following our dreams!!!

PS:  There are only a couple of days left to make your tax write off donations for this year.  Please consider donating to Fuller Center for Housing.  You can help me reach my donation goal and help someone reach their goals of living in a safe, comfortable house at the same time!   You can donate here.