Goals = Growth

It’s always a good time to talk about goals setting. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re starting to approach the world of endurance sports now, you’re in mid-season, race season, beginner, advanced age grouper or pro, we all have to set our goals before even thinking of starting a training plan.

Goals setting is the visible proof that you are taking your goals seriously, it’s the proof that you really want to achieve it and that you are ready for personal growth.

Goals setting can make people uncomfortable because it makes us realise that we are the only responsible in our sports journey and if we fail in what we want to do is only because we either self sabotage ourselves or we didn’t go deeper into the visualisation of our goals with the correct plan and attitude, unless some important external factors outside of our control happen.

Goals can be divided into process goals and product goals but they are two sides of the same medal because if you choose to focus on the process, you’ll end up going to a destination and if you choose to focus on product goals, you’ll end up going through mini steps that are created with habits and skills development. 

The steps:

1. Whatever your goal is, write it down.
2. Next to it, write down all the feelings you have towards it and all the obstacles you may encounter to achieve it. Think deeply about everything

I give you an example:

You want to run a marathon.

The product goal is the marathon.

Visualise the marathon and ask yourself:

How will I feel in that moment? 

and most importantly how do I want to feel in that moment?

Do I believe in myself?

1. Once you have determined the way you want to feel at the finish line, start asking yourself how you will get there by writing down the process goals.

For instance:

I can train 7h per week with adjustments to my schedule.

I need to get my family involved to receive support.

I need to run with a club to be part of a community.

I can cook my meals and prepare my pre workout snacks.

I need to focus on my technique

And so on...

1. Once you have done that, write down all the obstacles you may encounter such as: house chores, plans with the family, holiday time, work schedule and last minute issues, injuries, commitments, bad weather, illness, moodiness, tv shows, etc etc
2. Look at your plan written down, take in consideration all the thoughts you have towards it and start the process with no self doubts and no excuses. 

Having a goal written down is super helpful to keep you focused especially when motivation is low because you can always go back to it and read it.

Self growth happens the moment we take ownership and responsibility for everything we do and most importantly when we believe in ourselves.

If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.