Maybe This

What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

This one might surpass the last one.

Training for my first marathon was life-changing-hard as well. Getting myself into a good college helped my 17 year old self see herself differently at the time.

I think having a big goal is good for me. Picking the hardest one I’ve ever set is hard because after I achieve something, I notice some parts get easier, but then I set the bar higher.

For me, little goals are good. One big goal and many little ones inside of it help drive me forward. I’m not a task master. I don’t demand perfection. I celebrate even the tiniest steps in the right direction. I’m no David Goggins, but I like challenging myself, I’m not sure why.

I know people who are content without goals. I know people who drive themselves toward one giant goal after another. I know people who live everyday driven by their own perfectionism without a bigger goal. I think whatever works for each individual is good.

I’ve spent enough time trying to do things someone else’s way and thinking they were right and I was wrong. Once I gave myself the luxury of being right about myself, and accepted that there are many different versions of right, I gained a new perspective.

When I was young I took a fitness class with a friend. The instructor was this incredibly fit, incredibly disciplined ex- Olympic runner. She had some helpful tips I’m sure, but my friend and I, both busy moms with kids, couldn’t follow her plan, and she couldn’t figure out why. We were all just very different people.

I think as we figure out what works best for ourselves in our own lives, in whatever stage we are in, we will happily get more done and enjoy our accomplishments more. It’s a little hard when you have vocal others who are wanting you to be more like them.

To this I say, do your best to listen to YOU.

You know better than they do. They might not seem to understand that, which is common. Most people think they are right. Which they probably are about themselves. That’s what we need to remember. We are always righter about ourselves than we are about anyone else.

Set goals, don’t set goals, enjoy your day. Be you.