Ready? Set. Go!

Everybody has a goal, a dream to live, and a finish line to cross. It ‘s part of human nature to think of the future, to envision a better life, a better health, or better relationships. But sometimes, we get side tracked, we don’t know how it happened, and we don’t reach the finish line we drew for ourselves. Achieving a goal begins with commitment, continues with a journey, and ends when you decide.

I’ve always been a goal setter. Sometimes I’ve achieved my goals, sometimes I haven’t, and sometimes I ended up on an unexpected journey. You think you have a great plan, one that can’t fail, and oftentimes life throws you a curveball. I’ve learned that if you focus too much on the plan, one little stumble can completely throw you off. Whether it’s a bad workout, an injury, or a problem at work, it’s easy to get discouraged. That’s when you need to keep your focus the most, make room for change, and allow for mistakes. Simply by viewing a stumble as another bridge to cross, rather than a roadblock, you just might surprise yourself. I certainly did.

Whether you’re trying to run your first 5k, trying to qualify for a world championship, create your first business, or pitch a new idea to your boss, remind yourself that every new achievement comes with a struggle. That struggle represents you, getting out of your comfort zone, learning, and growing. No matter what you perceive the result to be, you will be stronger then if you had never dared to try.

If you’re like me, you like to be independent and do things your way. Although staying true to my vision has helped me achieve certain goals, I’ve also learned that support can only make you stronger. There is something very powerful about a community of individuals with shared goals and passions. I will never forget watching my dad run his first marathon and how much it inspired me to run my first 10km at the Ottawa Race Weekend at the age of 16. I remember starting with running around the block once, then twice, then 2km, until I finally ran my first 10km a few months later. I remember my dad telling me to just try to run a little further every day. Having a person to encourage you when times get tough makes all the difference. Find a friend, family member, or co-worker, and just try, one step at a time.

If our focus is constantly on the end result, we quickly get overwhelmed, and we lose sight as new ideas start to fill our mind. Stay true to your vision and stay focused on the journey. Practice won’t always make you perfect, but it will certainly make you better. Build a team, and you build a dream.

 

Thanks dad for inspiring me every day.

Nina and her father