Erik’s Blog: Board Shorts and Business Suits

Since I have made some of my goals public through this blog comments have shot in. Comments about how ridiculous some of the goals may be, comments about the paths I may be taking, along with comments of encouragement. One of these which I have thought about a bit is now the topic of this post. Not only should I be discussing my ultimate goals but I should also discuss and make public my goals along the way. I did this at first with my getting 1 new link a day for 3 weeks goal, but haven’t done so since.

I hadn’t stopped to realize the impact each small step towards the main goal could be. Becoming accountable for all the steps along the way is just as important as the end result.

Example of intermediate goals

Take for instance running the four minute mile. The end result seems so outrageous that most responses to this goal are, “shouldn’t you start with something a little more attainable?” Thanks for the encouragement by the way. Breaking this goal down, the individual steps seem a lot easier and can summarized like this.

Training Goals

Build a base - Within 6 months increase my weekly mileage to 50+ miles a week
Increase intensity - Within 1 year increase the pace of my regular runs to an average of 6 minute pace
Begin track workouts - Within 1.5 years build to track workouts 3-4 times a week
Full Intensity training - Within 2 years be over 50 miles a week in training with all miles run at better than 5:30/mile pace

Race Goals

First mile - Run my first timed mile in under 6 minutes within the first 5 months
5 minutes - run under 5 minutes within 9 months
4:30 - under 4:30 within 1 year
4:15 - 2 years 3 months
4:00 - 3-4 years

This example is intended to show you the progression your goals could take. I am going to tweak these a little bit over the first few months of training but this is the basic idea.

SET ATTAINABLE MILESTONES

Even though your end goal may seem a bit out of reach at first once you complete a few milestones the end won’t seem so far away. Let’s look at my first goal. 5 years ago I used to run 11 mile runs in under 6 minute pace. Knowing that makes a 6 minute mile seem pretty attainable. Since then I have had cancer, stopped running, and gained 25 pounds (not muscle). But still, this goal should be easy to reach within the time period I have allotted.

Before you reach that first milestone you should set your next one. Make it a little more difficult, but still not all the way. It might seem a bit out of reach at first but don’t worry. Finishing your first goal will give you momentum into your second and so on and so fourth. Each goal will build on the last and you see your progress in realizable bits rather than one big quantum leap.

DON’T SWEAT THE SET-BACKS

Setting attainable milestones is probably the best way to get to your final goal. However, if you are unable to complete one in the time period you set for yourself this can be very discouraging. You can get so wrapped up in the discouragement that you forget about your real goal. Don’t worry. Think of it as a minor set-back, adjust the goal if you have to an move on. Learn from it. If you let it eat at you you’ll never remember why you set the goal in the first place. To help you along your path.

STAY THE COURSE

Finally, when setting intermediate goals you need to stay the course. Just like getting too discouraged if you miss a milestone, thinking its good enough can be just as devastating. If you’ve already thought it’s good enough then you’re probably ready to be done. Don’t be. Stay the course. This is why setting the next milestone before you finish the current one is so important. You need to know that it is just a step towards the end goal. If you become accountable for the next milestone then you won’t want to stop. People will know you’re next goal and ask you about how you’re doing.

The three techniques I just mentioned should make accomplishing your tough goals a little easier. It has helped me work through some of mine, especially finishing cancer treatment in a summer, then finishing my degree on time. Just remember to keep your eyes toward the final step and learn from any bumps in the road.