If I gave up on that goal, I would either be a.) stuck in the middle of an MTB trail, b.) stuck at home sleeping and missing out on nature, and c.) one goal shorter than my best effort.
We're always told nothing is impossible. Logic, Mr. Spock, tells us that if you pick an impractical goal, you won't be able to reach it. Instead, start small so you don't take on the weight of the world. I wouldn't expect to be valedictorian of my school my senior year starting at no. [NotTopOfTheClass] by the end of the first semester. Instead I would suggest focusing on goals leading up to that. Example goals:
- Turn in homework on time
- Finish projects a few days before the due date
- get B in math and science, then social studies and English too
- Get straight A's
Last weekend my boyfriend and I went to see a Def Leppard and KISS concert for our birthdays. It's a really long drive to Houston and I always get really hungry on trips like that (thank you street signs every five feet saying 'turn here for food'). I stopped at a gas station to pick up a Clif Builder's protein bar and a drink, then hit the road again. After driving on for a while I got a stomach ache. Turns out I read the label on the drink bottle wrong and there was cream and milk in it. YIKES! You can see why I don't like dairy at ALL here. Basically that was a bad move as a vegan who tries super hard not to support products that exploit animals,and as a person with a substantial dairy allergy. Way to go, right? But I'm still vegan. I'm still alive. And now I know to start planning better to avoid this situation again.
Every Sunday I make a goal to ride my bike faster without falling off. If I gave up on that goal, I would either be a.) stuck in the middle of an MTB trail, b.) stuck at home sleeping and missing out on nature, and c.) one goal shorter than my best effort. There's always a chance I'll fall off, but that's when I have to brush the mud and blood off and keep pushing myself. Besides, I wouldn't want to quit riding because of a tiny letdown- just look at this view!
You already know you cheat yourself out of things. You can promise yourself you will relax and sleep in on Sunday, then change your mind and get tied up in grocery shopping, cleaning the house, and homework. But you don't back down on your friends nearly as often, do you! If you tell your friends you are committing to something they will expect it gets done. They may even remind you about it once in a while so you won't forget. If you plan on going to the gym every week to work out, tell your bestie. They might even join you- so you HAVE to show up and compete on getting the biggest biceps in a month.
What good is all that focus and vigor when you don't get anything in return? You're more likely to keep up the goal if you can see the reward in the end. I notice I ride my bike the fastest when I know I'll stop for an old-fashioned cold bottle of pop afterwards. Don't believe me? Read this study! Treats relieve stress, exciting dopamines and oxytocin into the bloodstream. And who doesn't need less stress? Be good to yourself and enjoy life.