As I looked at my Map My Run app and realized I’d run more in 4 days than the entire month of October because of a goal, I knew I had to blog about it.

November runs vs October runs (today’s run not pictured)

Seriously, this isn’t a look at me post (my times are embarrassingly slow), or a peer pressure to get fit post (most of my goals are actually business related). This is a post about the value of a goal using running as an example. Why, you ask? Because my fitness desires were the same in October as in November, yet I’ve done more in 4 days than in the entire last month. The only difference? I set a clear goal.

Whenever I am in a slump, whether it’s fitness, business, family, faith or anything else, a goal is almost always what gets me out of it. I rarely feel like doing anything before I get started, but once I get started the motivation often appears (and then disappears and then reappears). A goal with regular activity requirements helps with the ebb and flow of motivation. I did not feel like running the first day or the fourth day (my legs are tired and I’m busy), but the goal got me out the door. Another instance, when I set the goal of paying for a Disney trip, having a payment plan set up helped me work somewhat consistently in my business to have the money when it was due. The goal of paying for Disney also got me excited to work!

Here’s a tip sheet I put together for goal setting:

Signing up for a race created just the goal + pressure I needed to hit the pavement last year. My mom was my accountability partner! She was consistent and every time she ran she would call which led to me running because I didn’t want to be left in the dust by my own mom!
If you listened to the podcast you heard about my Universal Studios party goal! Here I am at Harry Potter World drinking frozen butterbeer after hitting the goal!
Seriously, while I hate missing goals I love all the benefits that come with failure when I keep my heart and mind open to the lessons God hides in everything.

For more on goal setting check out this weeks LiveRideLearn podcast! Here’s the link to listen on Spotify Goal Setting For The Win 🙌🏻🙌🏻

God is good,

Sarah

P.S. speaking of goals, I have a goal of 30 subscribers by the end of November (I’m over halfway there!). Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future posts and to help me hit my goal!

Book cover for the short story, Three Horses and a Wedding
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