On New Years Resolutions. Or why let an arbitrary day be so important to your goals?
I’ve never been a fan of New Years Resolutions. The ideas of self improvement and setting goals are great. But New Years Resolutions are for the most part, doomed for faliure. It’s as if people subconciously say, “I’m going to set a goal that’s slightly out of reach, then attempt it for a month, then by February even my spouse will forgotten that I was trying.”
Maybe it’s because the people that I know that are big fans of resolutions are not as serious about goals as I am. Or maybe it’s just a bad way to go about setting goals. I’m going to assume the latter.
Let’s just say a goal is worthy like say, losing 30 lbs. Why would you need to wait till New Years Day to begin achieving it? Should you really put your health on the shelf for a month or two? Absolutely not.
This is prarticulary nerdy, but I’ll admit that I used to post my goals, usually writing goals, on my refridgerator.
This is a little harder to do these days with a house full of women so I try to keep this list more mental these days. But it works a little like this.
Daily: Write every day for an hour.
Weekly: Write at least five days a week.
Six Months: (For larger goals) Finish rough draft
One Year: Finish first draft
18 Mos: Complete project
Then every six months the list is revised based on how well I met my goals and hopefully it reflects that I’m moved closer to completion of the project.
The point here isn’t that my system is any smarter than anyone else’s. It’s certainly no GTD system. The difference between my little lists and a New Years Resolution is that it isn’t based on any outside force of a static date or peer pressure. It is created because I put it there for my own, very personal reasons.
So, if you have developed a New Years Resolutions to lose 30 pounds, please go ahead and work towards your goal. What I’m suggesting is not to call it a “New Years Resolution.” Make it a personal goal that won’t be cast aside like last years Christmas tree when the season comes to an end. Set your goal and own it.
OK, so what are my personal goals?
Within 6 months: To run the ING Half-Marathon 15 minutes faster than I ran the Atlanta Half-Marathon on Thanksgiving day.
Within year: To complete a century mountain bike race. (I’ve registered for the Leadville lottery, will find out more in February)
6 months ago my goals were to run a half-marathon and post here twice a week. Check.
11.25.09Social media and my half marathon
Tomorrow I’m running the Atlanta Half Marathon. Back in my early 20s I would have been much better prepared for this effort. I was a competitive cyclist and didn’t have the same job and family commitments I do today. In fact, the old me would probably say that present me is ill prepared.
So what the @#%^ am I thinking running a half marathon tomorrow?
Actually I’m not mad. I’m simply using some principals from social media.
I’ve listened. I’ve done my research. I know what’s expected to participate properly.
I understand the community. Sure, there will be some serious athletes there, but most will be weekend warriors just like me.
I’ve created a strategy for both success and failure. If I make it to the finish I have a ride home. If I don’t, I’ll have 20 bucks for a cab.
I’m getting in the mix. I’m engaging. I’ll have a chance to connect with other runners and have a great time. And that, not my time, will be the reward.
So I hope you have a great turkey day. I know I will.
Update: I finished the Atlanta Half Marathon in a not so respectable two and a half hours. But I was pleased that I did it. I learned that I was capable of doing it, even when I wasn’t completely prepared. And now I have a more clear idea what I need to do to be better prepared next year and have greater success. These are good things that far outweigh the unpleasant lactic acid build-up that’s already passed.
| Posted in Web 2.0, social media | View Comments
| Posted in future | View Comments