It’s been close to three weeks since I crossed the Kona Ironman finish line. I know, I’ve barely mentioned it!
But seriously, in the last couple of weeks, I’ve been asked a lot about what it takes to set and achieve big goals like Ironman. Something I’ve been asked about a lot is how you even start working on a big goal and it’s a good question. When we set a really big, scary goal, one that seems impossible, it’s so easy to be overwhelmed by the distance between where we are now and where we need to be to achieve it.
But, have you ever heard that old saying “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”?
When it comes to a big goal, you’ve just got to start. And you start by breaking the big picture goal into smaller goals. The smaller, the better – because here’s the thing, most big goals are gonna take you a while to achieve.
We all want success NOW, but true results don’t happen overnight.
It took me two years to train for an Ironman, and three years before that to even get ready for Ironman training.
If five years ago, when I was lying in a hospital bed unable to sit or stand on my own, I had thought constantly about the reality of an Ironman, I would have been totally overwhelmed. You know, I couldn’t think about how I was going to swim 3.8km, then ride a bike 180km and then run a full marathon! I would have given up almost immediately.
So instead, I kept that goal in the back of my mind as I focused on achieving smaller goals, like walking to the end of the hallway, climbing a flight of stairs or running 100 metres.
When it comes to the big goal you want to set for yourself, how can you break it up into smaller goals?
If you want to lose weight, get specific on what you want the end goal to look or feel like but then set some smaller milestones like losing 3 kilos, or being fit enough to move up to a harder gym class.
If you want to change careers, maybe set some smaller goals like attending seminars in your desired industry or finishing a short course to upskill.
Each time you achieve one of those smaller goals on the path to your big goal, you’re gonna get a boost of self-confidence, increase your self belief and develop more resilience. And you’ll use all of that to help you achieve the next goal, and the next, and the next.
Taking small, consistent steps builds momentum.
Now, over to you! I wanna hear about the goal you’re working towards and what smaller goal you’re going to smash first. Email me.
Until next time,
Turia xx
Ps my online goal getting program School of Champions will be back early next year. If you want to work closely with me and the SOCcers to achieve one of your goals, you can register your interest here and I’ll let you know as soon doors open for enrolment.
well done