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I was doing an easy run while on vacation down in Nagoya last week when suddenly, it dawned on me.
(Side note - for me, there’s no such thing as an “easy” run, no matter how short or slow it is because I absolutely suck at running)
Anyhow, I realized that I've been drifting these past few weeks.
Why? Because I've been missing a goal that excites and scares me.
Obviously, last year was mostly about losing a ton of bodyweight, fast and then keeping it off.
That was an awesome experience that I really enjoyed and was grateful to have.
After that, the focus was on hitting my long-standing strength targets (2x bodyweight squat, 2.5x bodyweight deadlift, 135-lb weighted chin-up).
It was really satisfying to nail those at a bodyweight of 185 lbs... but then what?
Now while I love lifting weights, I'm not particularly interested in devoting my life to strength training so that I can eek out a few more microscopic increments of progress.
I mean, who wants to be the guy that turns down a weekend camping trip or going hiking with your kids just because it might interfere with the following week's training?
Not me.
Fortunately, Nagoya meant a week away from the gym and the chance to reflect on a few things.
And on the "easy" 3-mile run, it came to me.
You're going to enter the Bekkai marathon in October.
To be honest, the thought of running a marathon absolutely horrifies me - after all, it's a full 26 miles and change that will probably take something like 5 hours or more to complete.
(Like I said, I absolutely suck at running)
But the way I see it, if your goals don’t scare you, they’re nowhere near big enough.
So, assuming my entry goes through OK next month, that’s what I’m committed to - and I’m telling all you guys so I have no way to back out.
Now, I know this will probably be one of the hardest things I’ve ever tackled, and I’d really appreciate your support.
How? By joining me and committing to something that scares you.
Whether that means:
• Quitting the job you’ve endured for years but have been waiting endlessly for “the right time” to come along
• Dropping 10/25/50lbs of weight that you’ve been intending to lose since... forever
• Getting started with a decent exercise or strength-training program
Or any of a million other things.
The reality is we're all different but I know there's something you really want to accomplish but have put off time and again.
Sure, being caught in the current, drifting along and going with the flow can seem kind of comfortable.
Hey, it's what everybody else is doing so it can't be that bad, right?
But Earl Nightingale had something to say about that over 60 years ago:
Look at what the majority of people are doing, and do the exact opposite, and you’ll probably never go wrong...
The problem with drifting is that, sooner or later, we'll end up heading towards a shallow reef and by that time, it's too late.
Whether that means poor health, going broke, or getting trapped in a downward spiral of learned helplessness and negativity.
Well, having a positive goal that both excites you and scares you is the antidote to all that evil stuff.
Not because something magical happens the instant you cross the finish line or tip the scales at 185 lbs or whatever.
No, the magic happens during the process itself - every time you lace up your running shoes, every week your weight drops by another pound or two, you change for the better.
Physically, mentally, emotionally.
That's what Jim Rohn was getting at right here:
The power of goals is that it entices us to become the person it takes to accomplish them
Listen, if a guy that failed to finish a 1-mile race in high school (yep, that's me!) can shoot for a marathon the week before his 46th birthday, I’m sure there's something important that you can really commit to achieving over the next few months.
Maybe it's running a 5-mile charity race, being able to cinch your belt down another notch or two, nailing your first chin-up or looking awesome by the pool on your summer vacation.
Whatever it is, I'd be stoked to know that we're on the same journey.
I could really use your support.
– Tim
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