Goal Achievement

Achieving your goals is one of the most important things in life. Success is all important, especially for your ego. And for a guy, the bigger your ego the better.  So we have to achieve our goals. A lot of people are so scared of failure they don’t set and achieve exciting goals, and ever get what they really want. Tonight I’ll show you how to get past that.

Previously we heard about goal setting using the acronym SMART – specific, measureable achievable realistic and time limits. But that says nothing about actually achieving that goal. For that we need another acronym – SPLEEN – sign up, plan, loan, execute, end, negotiate.

We’ll look at the process in the context of an example. Recently I had a goal – to ride in  the 94.7 Cycle Challenge. You all probably know it. It’s a tough 95km cycling race and timed electronically, so you can compare times.  Let’s see how the process unfolded.

Start with S – sign up

This doesn’t just mean going online and entering the race. It means really committing yourself. Typically you will b having a beer with your cycling friends a few months prior. After you’ve had a couple you’ll expound  on how easy the race is. How you probably don’t even have to train. How you’ll no doubt beat all of them. The gauntlet has been thrown down. You are now committed.

You are now ready for P for plan.

No goal was ever achieved without a carefully and thoroughly thought out plan. Do not skimp on this step. In terms of the cycle challenge, this means getting fit, fit enough to beat your friends. In other words, train more than them. A good strategy is to actually train with them. That way you can keep tabs on how fit they are. Then, you need to slot in some secret training that they don’t know about, just to ensure you have the edge. Another strategy I find useful particularly if you don’t have time for secret training, is to ride with your tyres half flat, or carry some extra weight hidden under your shirt, when training with them. Also, always pretend you’re battling to keep up. This gives them a false sense of confidence.

Next is L for loan.

One problem with your plan to outtrain your mates is that you can be almost certain, even despite their assurances that they are very unfit and are not bothering about the race, they might well be executing very similar strategies as you to beat you. Therefore you’ve got to be one step ahead.

Medication has come a long way in the last 10 years, especially in the field of cycling. Only you don’t call it medication, you call it nutritional supplements. Unfortunately these are expensive, particularly the most  effective one’s which are by prescription only. So you’ll probably need as bank loan. But hey, when It’s your reputation on the line, you’ll no doubt agree, whatever the cost, it will be worth it.

E is for execute. Carefully carry out your plan. Do not deviate, except under exceptional circumstances. Then you must carefully replan.

Obviously a lot counts on the actual race. You need to gain extra seconds every way you can. Slipstream where ever possible. Shave every last hair of your body and wax it for improved aerodynamics. Take the right pill at the right point to get extra boost.

The second E is for end – Yes, the pain and suffering will end. Hopefully somewhere near the finish point. And then it’s time for the N for negotiate.

You see, one must remember that success is a relative concept. One man’s failure is another man’s success. It just depends on his outlook.

If you beat your friends, that’s fine. But what if you didn’t? Its time to renegotiate your goals. Tell yourself and your mates, well actually I only wanted to finish the race.

If you didn’t actually finish, that’s tougher. I suggest riding into a large pothole, bend your rim, and tell yourself and your mates that’s “these things happen”.

So remember SPLEEN. Don’t be scared to set and achieve big goals. Failure is only in your mind. Make yourself a success no matter what.