Your Goals This Season; Setting and Achieving

Hi again!!

Last I wrote, I mentioned I would have my next post on setting goals; so, that is what we are going to discuss in this entry.

I'm sure we have all set goals we have hit; feels great! We have also set goals that we haven't hit; awful feeling. I hope what I have to say helps you set yourself up for success this season and for all of 2013.

Before you begin, you need to look at and analyze your goals from last year. What were they, did you achieve them, why did you achieve them, or why didn't you achieve them? These questions are so important for moving forward with new goals. If you didn't achieve them, why not? Were they too lofty, life situations arise, maybe you didn't go about achieving them in the right way. This was the case for my goals last year. It wasn't a matter too lofty, but rather not having the right approach.

First we'll talk about setting that goal this year. If you reflect and see it was a matter of a lofty goal, then you need to create one slightly more attainable, OR you need to set a series of rigid "mini" goals along the way that leave no other option but setting you up for success.

Maybe your goal was fine, but the failure was in the execution. In this case you need to sit back and really analyze why you fell short. What held you back? Didn't stick to the training plan, perhaps stuck to the training plan too rigidly, race too much that you couldn't adjust and recover, drink too much on Friday nights, etc? If your reason fits in that category, then perhaps it is just a matter of "sticking to the plan" this time around. If your reasons don't fit above; if you stuck to your plan and are not sure why you still came up short then you should consult a confidant. I have a small team of people that I am close to and who know a great deal about my goals and aspirations when it comes to triathlon. In addition, I make sure my team only consists of people who do not sugar coat, and will be bitterly honest with me at every turn. When I came drastically short from my goals last year I talked to them to get some advice and see an outsiders' perspective. The overwhelming idea from them was that I needed a personal coach; someone who worked on my side, by my side, one-on-one; with the expertise and the know-how on what it takes to get to, and then succeed at that top level. Done! Same goals as last year, but a reorganization of those "mini" goals AND a personal coach to analyze my every move along the way. Also, notice the theme, I am adding another person to my team, who keeps my best interests at heart and isn't afraid to tell it straight. 

Above I spoke about setting "mini" goals along the way. This is an important step in achieving your goals. While sticking to your plan plays an integral part in achieving your goals, you must realize your season is a long time, where a lot happens and changes throughout; it is like a river bed with an occasional new obstacle. You need to be the water in the river; you need to be able to move, and adapt along the way when things don't go along to your plan. Again, these are the times you can lean against your team for advise too. Just make a simple tweak to those "mini" goals and stay on track. Be assured these things will happen, so don't let stress be a factor and fog your end goal and judgement.

Something else to think about is the big picture as well. Maybe you have a grand goal in mind. In which case maybe the goals this season are actually just one of those "mini"goals to achieve that grand idea. If this is the case it is sometimes hard to stay on the right path. You need to always keep that master goal in mind, stay firm to your steps along the way, but be flexible along the way and make changes when necessary. and by all means, again, it is so important to have the person, or team of people who know your overall goal and can help keep you on the right path along the way, AND step in when you're going astray.

Obviously, this is such a loaded topic. I am eager to hear any of your ideas, stories, and/or questions on this topic. Drop me a line!

Keep Running,

Rob

Starting 2013

So the new year has officially started. What does this mean? Mostly a loss of time; but it also means a chance at new races and performances. As we know, I need to have a better season if I am going to move forward in this sport.

One big change that I made for 2013 is hiring a private coach. I can't explain how excited I am about this change. I signed none other then Ramon Bermo. If you have been following and reading my blog for a while, you undoubtedly remember me talking about him before. I wanted to go with someone I am comfortable, and someone who knows how to push and motivate me. Coach Bermo was the one who re-ignited my running flame, and motivated me down this endurance road some 6 years ago. I decided, having performed well under his tutelage in the past, he was confidently the way to go. I had a meeting with him on Tuesday night to officially hash everything out for the season; training styles, regimen, race schedule and approach, etc. I thought I was excited before, now I am pumped and motivated. Our meeting ended up being the better part over 90 minutes,

If I have any advice for hiring a coach it would be two key things. You want someone you are comfortable with, and someone who you know has your back throughout the season. Remember, this person is your objective look at yourself. They will clearly see your goals, progress and necessities, when you focus, opinions and motivation are fogged. For me, it was important that my coach both understands and supports my goals. Once I and we established my clear set and order of goals, his concern wasn't 'can this be done', but rather 'how are we going to get this done'. That is what you need in a coach.

That last paragraph actually touches on another great topic too; goals, both figuring out, and setting them up. Although, that is quite a loaded topic; so I think I will save that for my next entry. I'll end this one here. Talk soon folks. please email with any questions and comments!