The Importance of Goals - Don't Settle

"If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it, you have won your race. Your goal can be to come in first, to improve your performance, 

or just finish the race. It's up to you." 

Dave Scott, U.S. Triathlete

This is one of my favorite things about running. For the vast majority of us "non-elite" runners, running is not about actually winning a race.  But it is still a competition, if you want it to be.  A competition with yourself.  Running offers a great opportunity to set goals, formulate a plan of action, execute the plan and, hopefully, reach your goal.  That goal may be to run a certain distance or speed, improve on a personal best, or just to pleasantly finish a race.  

This problem-solving, goal-setting skill is invaluable in so many areas of life. To often, we simply sit around and wait for things to "happen" to us or for us.  Not happy with your current employment? What steps are you taking to change it? Taking on extra projects? Signing up for classes? Job hunting?  Not happy with your body or health? What action can  you take TODAY that is a positive step toward the life you want?

All too frequently we complain about our lot, but do not take active steps to get where we want to be.  Those steps may not always get us to the end we planned, but there is value in the effort and rarely is such time "wasted."  There is incredible satisfaction in setting a goal, working a plan, and reaching that goal (big or small).  Victories easily fuel the fire of more goal setting!