There’s a lot to be said about “putting it out there.”
We all know I’m a huge fan of vision boards and creations (and from the superb emails and tweets I’ve received where you’ve excitedly told me about making a vision board and choosing words to live by of your own, I think we’re on the same page with this) but there’s no denying that while having aspirations and dreams is brilliant – and necessary – one of the best things you can do to bring them to fruition is to publicly declare them.
But… why?
Quite simply, because it creates ‘possibility.’ It takes those dreams from nebulous swirls in your head, solidifies them and launches them out into the world. Boldly. With intention.
Not only that, on the journey from headspace to outerspace, hopes and dreams gather obscene amounts of energy and, unconsciously or consciously, we start taking purposeful steps towards their fulfillment.
This is what we want, no? We’re not just talking about our aspirations because they sound good, or because we think we should have goals, or because the girl next to us at work has them, so perhaps we should too – are we?
I’m going to assume that the answer to that is a categorical no! and tell you a story about why being held accountable is so powerful.
A Little Tale About Running
Growing up, I used to love cross country running at school and would go so far as to say I pretty good at it. I liked the challenge and enjoyed competing at different levels for a bit of fun.
Over the years though – and up until 2010 – the furtherest I’d run was about 11kms, and on average, “going for a run” meant busting out 7kms and that would just about do me. I only discovered outdoor bootcamp-style training towards the end of 2010, so up until then, most of my exercise was done at the gym – and it’s pretty hard to get excited about running for over an hour on a treadmill watching the news on the TV in front of you.
Anyway, my good friend Liz, who I also used to work with, had run a bunch of half and full marathons and despite the fact that the thought of running for two full hours scared bewildered me, some curious (demented) part of my psyche thought running a half marathon would be kind of cool… so before I knew it, I was puffing my chest out and casually saying “Yeah, I’ll do it.” 21kms of constant running? No biggie. I’ve got this one, guys.
Comfort zone: I was out of it. But it didn’t matter. I think the reason I’d been so willing to sign myself up was that I’d never known any of my friends to compete in a race longer than 5kms before meeting Liz, and because she’d done several long distance races (and lived to tell the tale) pushing myself and my fitness to a whole new level became a possibility. This normal friend of mine, who had a full-time job and a busy social life had done it – why couldn’t I commit to something like that?
I knew upping my training load significantly would require a few sacrifices and a lot of hard work, and I knew there would be mornings where I’d grit my teeth through early morning runs when it was dark outside and my muscles were killing me, but I also knew I would be suitably rewarded when I crossed that finish line – regardless of the time I ran.
The moral of the story here is the number one thing that kept me on track when I had an I.T band injury that prevented me from training and when I was busy and I could have easily let my running routine slide was that I’d publicly commited to running this race. I told everyone at work. Liz, and other friends and colleagues, checked in constantly. Giving up just wasn’t an option – and when I crossed the finish line in 1 hour 55 minutes, happily exhausted, I was thrilled I’d done something “out of the ordinary” for me, because the achievement felt damn good. Every ache in my muscles the next day felt like a big cheer from my body, congratulating me on proving to myself that limitations are simply the product of our minds.
I know for sure that without that public commitment, running a half marathon would have been another wishy-washy goal that I pushed aside when life got in the way. Saying it out loud made it real.
A Space to Share + Inspire
I wrote this post today because I wanted to create a space where we could all shout our big goal/s from the rooftops, so that together we can make them happen!
If you feel like you need someone to keep you on track with your goal/s, simply leave a comment below telling us what you hope to achieve and by when, and then flick me an email with “Making my dreams a reality!” in the subject line. Once I receive your email, I’ll assume you’re in for a bit of cheeleading and I’ll check-in with you personally from time to time to see how you’re going.
How does that sound? Good? Great.
My Bold Declarations
The big, juicy goals I’m really commiting to for the next six months are all health related and are as follows:
To explain:
Running 500km before 1 June: This means that before our wedding, I want to have clocked up 500km’s in my legs, or approx 25kms per week for 20 weeks. I’m going to do this over and above the km’s I run at my bootcamp classes three times a week as they’re too hard to measure, so looks like I’ll be hitting the track a fair bit in the next few months!
Quit the choc attack: This one is my most audacious goal for two reasons – 1. Because I’ve become reliant on my chocolate fix of an afternoon, and the fact I think I “need” the sweet sugar high scares me, and 2. Because reaching for chocolate has become a deeply ingrained habit that I know will take a lot of willpower to crack. But I’m determined! No more will I be a slave to the sweet poison. I’m going to reread Sarah Wilson’s awesome ‘I Quit Sugar’ ebook for added motivation and I’ll be focusing on healthy snack alternatives to help me through the 3pm munchies at work.
Alcohol once a month til June: This sentence is a bit clunky but it was the easiest way to word it. Basically, until June, I’m giving myself one occasion each month to have a drink and a good time, but apart from that I’ll be alcohol free. I’m not a big drinker these days anyway but I find even two glasses can leave me a bit fuzzy headed the next day. So apart from the special events (Blogger Meet Up, my besty’s birthday in Melbourne in Feb, my hen’s party in March and so on) I’ll be completely on the waters. And happy to be.
I hope that you guys will call me out sometime and ask me on Twitter or Facebook or in the comments how I’m going. I’m expecting to be challenged. Bring it on!
Your Turn
+ Now that we’re a few weeks into the year, what goal/s do you want to knock off the list you wrote on January 1?
+ You know what we were saying about making 2012 our best year yet? Let’s commit to that. Really. Leave a comment below with your goal and the timeframe you want to achieve it by and let me know if you want me to check in with you, because I’m as commited to helping you achieve your goals as I am my own.
Put it out there. Call it in. Make it happen. The time is now.
Image: Verblife | Moline | Typography Served
Rach, I absolutely loved this post. You are so inspiring!
LOVE IT! I’m hoping to clock at least 500km before June (I have a half mid-June), so I’m keen to do a weekly mileage check in with you if you like! Also, dailymile.com is great for being accountable for km’s :)
I’m definitely going to look into that eBook too… I am such a slave to the Snickers. Thanks for another great post!
Hi there…in the past I have said quietly to myself that this time I was going to lose the 22 extra kilos that I have been carrying around for the last 10 years.
Now, it’s different. I am declaring to everyone that I am going to commit to a lifestyle change which will enable me to get rid of this excess weight. How am I going to do this?
1. Eat breakfast before 8am – every day
2. Move – every day
3. Declutter
4. Set up routines for the children and stick to them
5. Blog about it
6. Ditch the stupid, quick fix diets!
I have had to face the harsh reality that the reason I can’t lose this weight is because I don’t commit to it and don’t let anyone else know in case I am held accountable for not losing the weight.
Thanks Dayna, so glad you loved it! xx
Amy: YES! Let’s keep each other accountable – I love that idea. I’m going to check out the daily mile right now. I used to have a Garmin watch that clocked all my k’s and pace etc, but it broke so now I think I’ll use MapMyRun as well. The ebook is fab, you’ll love it x
Sandi: Wow, this comment is seeped in so much intention and “knowing.” I read it a few times actually because I felt this surge of emotion (pride?) for you putting it out there that now is the time. Bravo! I love that you have an action list of “how’s” – you’re not just saying “I want to do this,” you’re actually detailing how, in small steps, you can achieve it. It’s not as huge and scary that way, don’t you think? I’d be more than happy to email with you to see how things are going or help in any other way if you’d like me to? xx
Its so true about vocalising your goals isn’t it. it just makes them more real, instead of thinking about it you commit yourself to having to follow through, which you said at times you regret! Another awesome post Rach, I don’t know where you get all this inspiration from! I love the 500kms before mid-year – I think I’ll join you on that and have to check out DailyMile.com as Amy suggested! BTW – I bought the exfo-brush you mentioned on your beauty post the other week – AWESOME! Love it. xxx
Liz: Thank YOU for being such an inspiration! I’ve just checked out dailymile.com and it’s awesome – sign up so we can chat on there! I’m still playing around to see all the settings but you can change to km’s in Settings, and can map your route or upload from your Garmin (I really need another one!) YAY, let’s keep each other on track with this – you’re my running guru so I’ll be leaning on you for support sometimes too my love xx
Rach, good luck with your goals!
Your overview of the half marathon goal is so timely for me as a friend and I have committed to running one in May. We have upped our training sessopms but not specifically our run training so it’s time to get serious. First step: publicly declaring! Starting here – friend to friend to follow!
Yay! Love it Rach! I am totally with you on the three things too. Count me in on any of the 500kms that you need a running buddy :) and we can support each other in our defence against the 3pm sugar cravings (mine came at about 1pm today!! ;)). xx
Jen, woot woot – a half in May! Let’s keep each other motivated! Amy pointed out the site Daily Mile – are you on there? Perhaps all us runners could join and chat there too? xx
Sarah, YAY, I’ll be making sure you’re sticking to yours if you keep me on track too. Let’s do this! xx
Hi everyone…i am quite literally shaking as I type this as the thought of publicly declaring my goals for this year quite honestly scares the bejeezes out of me! But here goes…
1. Create – a vintage furniture recycling business. Finding furniture no one else wants and ‘recasting’ as a colourful and unique version of it’s former self.
2. Unite – my (current corporate) work life with my family life ensuring I give the two the time they deserve but when push comes to shove my family wins..every time.
3. Accomplish – my desired financial situation so I have the money to circle right back to number 1 – Create. I guess you could call it working to live instead of living to work.
I also have the details on a vision board.
Thanks Rachel for a wonderfully inspiring blog.
Nic, I LOVE this so much – and bravo for having the courage to throw these beautiful dreams into the wind to take flight!
Your vintage furniture business sounds perfect (right up my alley) and I think your intention to “always choose family” is so important. Thank you for the reminder and best of luck – let me know if you need an extra boost here and there over email x
Rach, I am continually inspired when I come along to your blog! I love this idea, so here are three of my goals for the new year:
– Get promoted at work to an Associate Producer on a TV show
– Work eating well and getting physical into my life and lose 5kg in the next three months
– Write really good content for my blog and work on getting it more ‘out there’ in the blogsphere
Thanks so much for this! Saying it out loud feels simultaneously overwhelming and exhilarating! Good luck with your goals (and to everyone else as well!)
Wow great post, loved the artwork inspiration you’ve found!
Another fabulous post Rachel! I love it and the first image on the post is so inspiring…it made me want to leap and fly kick the air! Ok, my big badass goals are:
1. To eliminate gluten, lactose and fructose from my diet. I am intolerant which makes me feel crook, but complacent also. Complacency be gone by February!
2. Complete my first 10km run in October. Small one I know, but Im seriously a have-never-owned-a-pair-of-running-shoes-ran-a-day-in-my-life-girl. This is my it could kill me, but not doing it might also kill me thing!
3. Compete my Coaching assignments by the end of March.
4. Look for the opportunity every day this year to serve a specific person. Every day.
Thank you for the space to speak these things. I guess In Spaces Between is also becoming our In Space Between!
Katherine: Thank you gorgeous, and HELL TO THE YES to all those glorious goals. I’m cheering for you xx
Steve: Why thank you Steve, glad you liked them!
Marianne: Your goals ROCK! I have a feeling number 1 and number 2 are going to tie in quite nicely (what else are you goinhg to do with all that extra energy than burn it on the running track?) Keep me posted with how you go – and let me know if you need someone to chat to because I’d love to. We can share stories about blisters and aching calves. Haha xx
Thanks for the support Rachel: would love your championing! Does my email comes up with my comment? xx
Sure does Marianne, I’ll add you to my list! x
Hope I’m not too late contributing here! Just discovered your blog last night Rachel (over on Wellness Warrior) and it really is a beautiful space.
It’s kind of revealing how confronting I find it to say (type?!) my goals out loud. It’s even made my heart beat a little faster…
2012 will be the year that I:
1. Run 10km non stop in less than an hour. I am not a natural runner, so this is big for me!
2. Finish my book. This is going to mean setting serious writing goals and sticking to them.
3. Lose 10kg.
I also have some vague hazy thoughts/intentions about overcoming negative thinking patterns, but am not entirely sure how to properly articulate them, or implement them (although I did just find your post on affirmations, so I’ll start there!!)
Thanks for your beautiful words.
xo
PS, will you please add me to your email list?
Thanks!!
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