We hear so much about goals and being goal-oriented. It’s a very praised trait. Those who have goals and pursue them are described as driven individuals. That sounds nice, eh?
S.M.A.R.T. goals are goals that are (yes it’s an acronym) Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. I think they need to have two R’s in that acronym and the FIRST would be for REALISTIC.
One of my goals right now is to run 3 days a week. Tuesday, Thursday, and one day of the weekend.
Another goal right now is to make dinner for my family 6 out of 7 nights a week. A girl needs one night a week off, right?!
Both of these goals seem pretty simplistic but they are very realistic for me. I recently ran a 5k at a 7:57 pace which is the best I’ve run since becoming a mom. I’m patting myself on the back. I would also LOVE to hammer on that pace and get it below a 7:30minute mile. I am not sure that speedwork is realistic for me every week right now for 2 reasons. One, I have to run with my children at least one or two days a week. Two, the weather.
Set goals, yes. Drive yourself towards them, yes. Set yourself up for failure, NO!
Give up on your high aspirations….No, not that either. I think the day will come when I can strive for that 7:30 pace: when I stop working so much, when my kids are in school, when the sunlight lasts past 5pm. But right now I cannot set myself up for failure. I also can’t set myself up for hating this phase of life that I am in.
As you think about what you want to accomplish, from a fitness persective or any other perspective, think about it in realistic terms. A great way to start is to look at your weekly schedule and see how much time you have free to devote to your goal. Measure that up against your aspirations and see if you need a little does of reality. Take in to consideration other “surprises” that may come against your ideal weekly schedule such as illness (either yours or family members), weather, car trouble…
Set solid realistic goals and begin working towards them today!!