Want to accomplish everything you dream: set goals. Goal setting makes you 10 times more likely to achieve your dream. Writing down your goals makes you 40%+ more likely to achieve them. Those who set goals are 30% more productive in their work.
One of my favorite goal setting stories is from Daniels’ running formula by Jack Daniels. No, not that Jack Daniels. It goes like this:
The setting: a track race. A coach (Daniels) watches from the infield.
His runner passes.
Something is wrong. The runner is far off the lead. Things aren’t going well.
‘I want to quit,’ the runner confides.
‘That’s fine. Catch the leader, then you can quit,’ he responds.
The runner catches the leader.
Said runner then catches fire and wins the race.
The lesson: never give up.
Additionally: sometimes a change of goals, even mid race (mid life), can drastically change your outcome.
Tiered Goals
I read that Meb Keflezghi has a multi-tiered goal system. “He goes into every race with a tiered list of goals: to win, to finish in the top three, to set a personal best, and so on. This mindset ensures that Keflezighi always has motivation to push himself, however the competition shapes up. “You fight for every second, every spot,” he says.
Sometimes when I run I feel like I need eight tiers (did I mention I just turned 47).
Next time you pick a race write down 4 goals. Or 8.
Go like hell.
And when things get difficult you know what my advice is:
‘Catch the leader!’
Related: Dreams + Goals = Action: Smart Goal Setting · How to Set Resolutions That Stick