“The virtue lies in the struggle, not in the prize.”
As far back as I can remember I’ve been a goal setter. I was all over New Year’s resolutions; I’ve set goals to write more letters, lose a few pounds, clean the bathroom more, eat less sugar, spend less money, make more money, you name it. These goals would usually be set with much enthusiasm on the first of the year, the first of the month, or a Monday; I like the re-set quality of these dates on the calender.
I still set goals but my intentions and actions have a new objective.
I used to see goal setting-and achieving-as an all or nothing proposition; as soon as I “slipped up” I would throw in the towel. More often than not my “slip ups” were simply forgetting about my goals after a day or two, realizing my mistake a day or two later, and deciding that all was lost until the next Monday/1st of the month/New Year.
Ever since starting this blog my relationship with goal setting has shifted. Maybe it’s because I publicly state my goals each month. Maybe it’s because I am getting wiser with my years ;). Whatever the reason, I now use goals as a tool for self-reflection and motivation rather than a means to an end.
Take August for example.
On August first, I set the goals to run 2-4 times a week, strength train 3 times a week, do Pilates 2 times a week, and practice yoga “regularly”.
Today I reflected back on the month just passed and realized the following;
- 4 runs a week is a lot for me (never happened),
- after months and months thrice weekly strength training workouts, August was a month for twice weekly.
- as much as I believe in Pilates and love to reap the benefits, I have a difficult time prioritizing it!
- despite feeling like yoga was absent from my life for most of the month, I actually practiced sort of regularly!
- 3 runs a week-short distance for maintenance, medium distance with speed intervals, and long distance for endurance
- regular yoga
- regular dancing
- lots of walking, hiking, and biking
- 2 Pilates workouts a week
- gym classes!
I find I have shoulder issues if I don’t regularly strengthen my rotator cuff muscles. I hope you determine the cause. I love your “no guilt” mentality. That’s awesome!
I love your approach to active living. It inspires me.
The season must determine our goals. If the goal is training for a race, then a more stringent plan is needed. If the goal is fitness, wellness, maintaining strength and agility, the goal can be acomplished in many ways.
Rigid schedules can rob us of the joy of active living.
Your post reminds me of a line from the AA Big Book, “We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.” Amen folks.
Yes, I like this quote too!
I haven’t been following my goals to get to the gym as often as I’d like, but I’m proud of the fact that I walk to and from work (just over 1 mile each way) everyday!
I can help with the dancing goal on September 18th!
:)!!! Can’t wait!
Sounds like you had a very balanced and active month. That’s definitely something to be happy about.
Great post! Dailymile.com helps me out. Thanks for the post on interval training ( a week or so back?) too. I am currently reading more on that and will use knowledge in gym tomorrow. Hope life is beautiful and wonderful!
One of the things I love most about your blog is how intuitive you are in many different areas. Physical activity being one of them! I think you have some awesome goals. For September, my main goal is to mix things up instead of getting stuck in my regular ol’ running rut. I love running, but it’s awesome trying new things too. So far I’ve gone out biking, done some yoga, incorporated a hike and have done plenty of walking too. I’d like to get out and roller blade at least once this month as well! 😀
Thanks Sarah!
Roller blading is one of those activities that always seemed like so much fun to me but I’ve never gotten in to. I hope you get out there “at least once this month”!