I’ve noticed that many of the “triggers” that set people off on journeys of self-discovery have little, if anything, to do with the final goal.

I know you’re visualizing me, sitting on my bed, scarfing bag after bag of beef jerky muttering to myself, “Carla was right, Carla was right”. Not today! =)

I’m a huge fan of “weird things” as you call them. Getting up in the morning and exercising first thing was a huge change for me. A change that has trickled over into every other part of my life. The more goals you accomplish, the less “crazy” it seems and the more addictive it becomes, methinks.

Thanks for the encouragement. Running, I can do. Golfing? Now that’s another story. =)

I’d be very interested to hear about your next big goal!

It is the Big Goal that defines all of the smaller activities that get you there.

I’ve personally had a number of achievements that worked out that way – I wanted to get back to being a 4 handicap golfer (where I was in High School) after some years of not playing very much. I set up a regimented practice schedule, and that motivated me to do such weird things like getting up a 5am to practice before my day job. I wound up overshooting the goal and was a 1.2 at the end of the season!

Also had a similar goal to yours some years ago. I started running for fitness. Then thought it would be interesting and charitable to run some 5k’s. After barely finishing one or two of those, my goal was to break the 20 minute mark. One full summer of practice and I hit 18 minutes and won a medal for my age division. And this is from a kid who had to walk the 600yd “dash” in High School! That goal led me, inadvertently, to being in the best shape of my life.

What’s interesting is that I sit here presently with no particular goals or ambitions and your post Really hit a nerve. It’s crazy what you can accomplish with the right Big Goals!

I know you’ll crack the 20 minute mark. Keep up the good work and let us know when you do!

But then I help them make some small successes, they see results, and they really start to see that it IS possible. Amazing the power of one’s thoughts.

It’s great that you realize first, that it does take steps, and two, that you have multiple ways of getting there. Excellent!

Also, that you’re looking at the positives (I walked 3 times this week) as opposed to the negatives (I ate something not on my diet). I always have my clients look at the positive, always.

Thanks for your insights!

You’re delightfully supportive.

I need more emoticons.

Sorry. I didn’t mean to be discouraging!

The turning point for me came when I realized that I didn’t need to take a specific path in order to reach my goal. When I got side-tracked, I didn’t need to spend time trying to get back on my old path. I simply needed to look at my goal and take the next step (from exactly where I was at that point) toward meeting that goal.

I really wish you the best of luck in your journey. The more ways you give yourself to find success, the more excuses you have NOT to focus on failure!