The Challenge

Going all out in our pursuits as we drive for 2019 expectations we’ve set for ourselves requires a clean mindset. One in which you can handle the defeats and enjoy the successes as you cross some milestones. Part of our problem as we set out in the new year we cannot forgive nor fully embrace a fall when we have one.

Forgiving yourselves shouldn’t be that hard because we usually have a mindset of not making it anyway. We need to address those thoughts or things into our strategies like the concept of actually not achieving it. What’s a plan B? Sounds counter intuitive to plan to derail, but actually it’s more about how you’re planning on getting back up. With that in mind, we can now be better equipped in forgiving ourselves when that failure happens so we can get back up again and keep going.

Putting into the plan the idea that you may fail, what that will mean or feel like, and assuming with all the positive intent in the world that you’re not perfect is a great way to get yourself ready to push through. Just reacting to it on the other hand as it happens could be your undoing because you’re not prepared. It can be to much when we’re not ready and already on the path to drive for our results. It could be to much if you’ve not prepared your mind. So train yourself to forgive yourself so you can keep going.

Embrace the wall and the splat. You’re going to slam into it. Everyone working on a goal that’s incredibly hard to achieve will hit the figurative wall sooner or later. And, it’s going to hurt. You will splat. Learning and accepting that most human beings have had to deal with failure or the splat in their lives is a great place to position your thoughts around. Self-awareness and acceptance and then the ability to learn from it as you move on is a key to further success. Remind yourself that the story of failures was present in even the most successful people from Presidents to pro athletes and yes, you. As soon as you notice failing, guess what? You’re no longer failing, you’re learning. And seeing failure as learning can be an incredible catalyst for you to hit the next milestone or level!

Join a challenge group. This time of year support groups spring up all over the place. Just look for them. I’m reminded of a story that one of my bosses, Beth shared about a marathon she ran. It was a shared best practice that was passed on and learned from a group of marathon finishers she knew. The idea was simple, but mirrors the importance a group can play in supporting you to the finish. It was shared with her to put your last name on a piece of tape and then that piece of tape be put on your running shirt front or back. As she ran through the miles there were people screaming her name in support and helping her to carry on. She did not know the majority of people that were screaming for her to continue on. They saw her name on the tape and instantly she had a support group for every mile she ran. This helped successfully finish her first marathon.

There are support groups all around you. You just need to share who you are and what you’re going to try to accomplish. You’ll get the support you need. You will need the support. I imagine once Beth hit mile 23-26, she needed that group cheering her name and cheering her on to make it. You’re mental game will get depleted and you will need a group to help carry your over the finish line. The power of a group is not something we can dismiss as we go after our biggest goals.

I hope your goal is something you’ve put a lot of focus and thought on. I hope you will plan to achieve in 2019 every goal you can conceptualize. If you need a group started, you’re not alone. Let me know. Love to help you achieve the best version of yourself in 2019!

✌🏻 Shawn