Pushing Yourself

I am a goal motivated leader. I’m the type of guy that HAS to have a goal or deadline to properly motivate action. So, on March 6th, I will be joining my lovely wife in running the Disney’s Royal Family 5k. I’m not in the proper shape to do this, as of this writing, but I will be ready. Why? Because with this goal, I am pushing myself.

How to Push Yourself:

1. Choose a BIG Goal

I’m not planning on running a marathon THIS year, but I would love to NEXT year, so my ultimate goal it to run a marathon. Pick A goal, one thing that will take you some work to accomplish, and focus all your energies on that one single purpose.

2. Define Specific Performance Targets

To do the marathon in 2011, I have to run a few 5Ks and a half marathon before my 2011 marathon, so I’ve committed to a 5 K in March and October with a goal of a 1/2 marathon in January of 2011. Pick your goal, define what it means to succeed (i.e. running in the marathon) and work backwards to today and set up smaller targets along the way to accomplish your overall agenda.

3. Properly Resource Yourself

I’m reading about running, talking to other runners, and researching 5Ks, 1/2 and full marathons. I am also eating better and losing as much weight as I can to get to the my best physical shape. I will also get some really good running shoes and run with my wife, she’s my best partner to run/work out with. Once defined, now you need to arm yourself with information and the resources to accomplish your newly found purpose.

4. Track Your Progress

I keep a log of what I eat, when and how I work out, how I feel. I also keep a log of what I read and study as well as how much I work. If I run well one day, and poorly the next, I need to know about it and track my progress. You should track how well you do on a daily basis, I’m not a list guy, but I do appreciate the journal of where I’ve come, and ultimately where I am going.

5. Submit

I have to submit myself to do whatever it takes to prepare to run 5K, 13, and 26.2 miles. I have to let go of my selfish desires of eating what I want, not getting enough real rest, and not working out. I have to submit to the greater good of working as hard as I can to succeed.

6. Stop Procrastinating

What are you waiting for? Just get up and go do it. If you don’t know how to do it, get a book, Google it, ask a friend, or try it, fail, and learn from your mistakes. Tomorrow NEVER comes. Today is all you have.

7. Surround Yourself with Motivation

People, music, posters, screen savers, post-it notes, whatever it takes to remind you of what you are working for. I have told several people about the 5K, and I get asked a lot about it. My wife helps hold me accountable to the workouts and running, and I have a daily reminder about the 5K in March to help motivate me.