GOALS:  SET ‘EM & GO GET ‘EM!

Let’s talk about goals.  Rather, let me unpack my last one for you!

Last month I set an unrealistic goal and it was a great reminder about proper and effective goal setting.  I’m not going to explain and write out S.M.A.R.T. goals for you but it will be the underlying tone.  Just to set the stage.

The goal I set well, it’s something I’ve done a few times in the past and this time I committed to it in a random conversation.  Side note – I think this is one of my toxic traits and one that I don’t mind admitting to lol – setting and getting to goals by any means necessary!

I am a goal orientated individual.  Always have been.  Even as a kid, when I didn’t know what it meant, I was always working toward something.  I remember when I discovered and fell in love with the Nancy Drew book series years ago.  Back then, in the Observatory library in Cape Town there were only 30 books.  I calculated that if I read three books per week (because library day was every Friday), I’d finish in 10 weeks.  I added a two week buffer for any “what if scenarios” – if the next book was not available or, if I didn’t finish before the next library day…but I always did.  My mom will tell you how I read after lights were supposed to be out lol.  In four months, I read them all and a couple of years later I read them all again.

Also, saving a little allowance every week to buy something I knew I couldn’t ask for or for an event I wanted to attend.  I had plans leading up to exam days right down to the day, how much time I needed to learn and remember the work I was going to cover and always add in buffer time…just in case.  Some will say this is another toxic trait but to me, being prepared AND having a back-up plan is just good sense!

This is all a process.  As I matured, I figured out my own goal setting process which, funny enough, is not as rigid as you might think given my intro.

That said, I think THAT was the demise of this recent lofty goal.  I didn’t follow my process – or any type of process but, I am not bitter.

Here goes.

I committed to running 100km in month of April.  As mentioned, I’ve achieved this multiple times in the past.  The goal was specific, measurable and time sensitive, but it lacked two particularly important components – it was not realistic which led to possibly not being attainable.  I already had and still have a very thought out and planned training schedule, which did include running/roadwork but not at the level needed to achieve 100 kms in a month.  Did I make it?  Read more to find out if I tell 😊!

My goal setting process is goes a little something like this:

• Visualization
  • I see myself at the finish line. I imagine what it would feel like and I make sure I really feel the feels.   Repetition, repetition, and more repetition.
• See it and believe it
  • After feeling all the feels it’s saying the words “I got this” and believing it in my core. See, believing you can is already half the battle won.  You’re mentally in the game.
• Timeline
  • Easy one but different in each situation. Fight day, race day, starting a new job or working up to a big announcement – you name it, everything must start or finish depending on the situation.
• Workback
  • Self-explanatory. Here I will usually take stock of everything else going on in my life during this period. In this particular case, my body and mind has been back to my boxing training.  Yes, running and roadwork is a staple at least 3x per week but long runs plus boxing everyday with some sessions 1.5-2hours, was and is definitely NOT realistic or sustainable for anyone.  As an athlete and a coach, I do not recommend.
• Create the plan
  • Map out my plan. The big picture is always in my head, but I find planning by week and then down to the day is most effective for me.  Keeps me on track and very much accountable.
• Execute
  • Focus, focus, focus. Eye on the prize and keep going.
• Course correct
  • Being flexible and adaptable are two great qualities to have and something I learnt early on when I started boxing. It’s where life inside the ring started making its way into other areas of my life.  The big learning was accepting that sometimes you need to adapt your plan to ensure that you get to the end.  Launching my e-shop is really good example.  I was learning on the go so I had to push out the launch date by a little bit.  In the words of the baddest man on the planet, Mike Tyson – well at least of his time: “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”!

So, what happened to me and my 100 kms?

Well, not only did I not account for my already busy schedule including training and work.  I did not account for any obstacles.  No time built in for possibly needing an extra rest day because my body needed it or having to adjust my schedule somewhat – you know, mom life.

I will say that the first half of the month I was on a good trajectory to make it and a couple of days before April 15^th I calculated that I’d be well over the halfway point by then.  But alas!

Easter weekend came and I’d planned two long runs up North while visiting my parents.  On the drive up I started feeling nauseous and well, odd.  The next 36 hours I felt like ass.  Put myself in bed most of the Saturday and managed very short run on the Sunday.  Not the end of the world and I was still in the game.  Just an unforeseen day and a half that I did not account for.

Later that same week, my IT bands were tight and my right knee started acting up.  Old injury acting up (baker’s cyst) and I thought an extra day off from running and I’ll be good.  I needed more than a day and for me, it was either run and not box or vice versa and ya’ll know what I chose.  Also, unforeseen but I also did not account for it.  No contingency and for someone like me, quite the rookie mistake which led to me also taking another rest day as well as skipped Saturday training.  That one stung but, a good decision and the smart decision.

So, where did I end with my km’s?  I made it to 51 km’s and guess what, not bitter about it.  This is growth for me.  It’s probably one of the few times I didn’t beat myself up for not making it.  I took it as a lesson.  A character-building experience.

None of the above is the end of the world.  What I wanted to convey is that goal setting is important and following through is important.  It teaches a resilience that builds life skills we can take anywhere.  In the same breath, we are human.  We learn as we go along each and every single time and when we need to switch things up and adjust, do it.  Life happens.

PS:  The month of May I’m sticking to my training plan and manifesting fights in June, July and beyond.  #eyeontheprize

PHOTO BY VIRGIL BARROW