Essential Steps to Reaching Athletic Goals

I’ve always looked at myself as an athlete and I hope to continue as one for a long time. To do such I know my mind and body must be in the right place.

The thing I like most about being an athlete is that both the mind and body must cooperate. One without the other means failure. It’s easy to wish training for my 16th marathon was over, but the journey is what makes the athlete. It’s one day at a time of intense discipline and acceptance of the many, inevitable challenges to come. Bring it on! I hope I am saying the same thing a couple of months from now.

Success Step One - Goal Setting

It’s imperative to keep setting goals and not be completely satisfied with what one sees in the mirror. The success trail begins with finding activities to define you, followed by a plan to achieve them.

Our goals are to show ourselves and the world who we are or aspire to be. Here’s the value in goals:

• They make a purposeful life of moving forward by being unafraid to take on complex challenges even with the knowledge one may fail.

• *They set us on a quest for better which is the challenge and the dynamic reason to push beyond the ordinary.

• * They set us on the essential path of pursuing success and the never-ending process of going for it, settling in, and re-examining the outcome.

Success Step Two - Healthy Mindset

Every quest must begin with the right mindset. Those with a healthy life perspective followed by intentional actions open the door wide for success. Those who are naïve, impatient, and panicky make bad decisions or quit prematurely on the goals they tackle.

Of course, it’s necessary to note having tolerance does not involve waiting passively but engaging in problems. Winners understand that worthwhile endeavors do not come without trial and toil. They have the “fighter’s mentality” – willing to pay the price to get what they desire.

Success Step Three – Risking It

Many people never find their purpose because of failing to “give it a shot.” A few successful people are born on third base, but most must reach that destination by way of first and second bases. In other words, they went for it and worked their way to the desired position.

After goal setting and mind preparations, it takes daring and bravery to put oneself on the line. If you ask anyone who overcame the odds, there’s a good chance they mention the concepts of risk and courage.

Once out there, fearlessness is needed when setbacks and self-doubt inevitably arrive. And, when adversity comes, one must answer, “Am I willing to give enough to get what I want?”

Pushing oneself when times get tough is something one remembers forever but following through on the initial steps to success make that possible.