Lots of people talk about goal setting, and there are many methods recommended for both setting and achieving your goals. Sometimes we can get a little overwhelmed by all the “instructions” that go along with setting goals.  In fact, some people put off setting goals altogether because they just don’t know how to get started.

Setting a goal is as simple as knowing that you want to do something – not necessarily what you want to – just knowing that you do indeed want to do something.

For example, I know that I want to run a 50K race (that’s 31 miles). Do I know when, where, how to train for it? Nope – not yet. But I know I want to do it. So, I say, “My goal is to run a 50K.” I’m starting now to put that idea in my head, and the seed is planted.

Next, I plan to talk to someone who has done it before. Just talk to them. Since I am not under any deadline, I don’t have to find a race right this minute. I can do some research, talk to other people, and continue with my current marathon training in the meantime.

The point is – just think of something you want to do. That is a goal. It doesn’t have to be any wild, far-off, huge goal. Then take one step at a time in figuring out how you’re going to do it. Focus on the things that you want TO DO instead of things you don’t want to do. We all know things we don’t want to do.

There are many things you can put into practice that may help you achieve your goals – we’ll be getting into those more later. But for now, just pick something you want to do – take the first step, and you’re on your way.

Do you ever have so much to do that you don’t know where to start? Sometimes what happens is that we do everything except what really needs to get done – like cleaning up email, straightening out desk drawers. Ever done that?

All we’re doing is putting off the inevitable, and then it just piles up and makes us feel even more overwhelmed. I have found that the way to initially deal with this dilemma is to just start on any one thing that has to be done. Forget about the others for the moment, and just jump into one task. This gets you going, and just the act of starting tends to calm you down.

Then, after you’re making some progress and find yourself at a natural break, take about 10 minutes and make a list of the most important things on your “to do list” for just that day. Don’t try to figure out your whole week or month at that point – just that day. And, them systematically work through those tasks.

This goes back to the old saying, “How do you eat an elephant?” – One bite at a time.

Doing a little of something is far better than doing a lot of nothing.

I’ve been “off the grid” for a couple of days, which basically translates to limited access to internet services. I’m back now with an update on a topic I mentioned in a recent post – my “ultimate high school reunion.” (more…)

Hills are my friends. I love hills. I will persist until I succeed. I said those things to myself this morning as I ran the hills and humidity of Louisiana. Knowing that I have two races coming up in August that have lots of downhills, my focus is to get stronger and better at hill running – both up and down.

As I was running hills this morning, I thought of how hill running is the perfect metaphor for the things we do everyday. And, how we approach hills is a good indicator of how we deal with other challenges in our lives.

Although I knew that today’s run would be hard, I couldn’t wait to get out there this morning – I looked forward to the challenge. I thought, “How I do anything is how I do everything.” Just saying this helped me as I faced the challenge: I charged up the hills and relaxed on the downs. And, I took one hill at a time and focused on that hill before I turned my attention to the next one. Every time I got to the top of the hill, I felt a sense of accomplishment – I had achieved that goal. How cool is that to achieve 20 accomplishments in one run?

Engaging in any activity that requires me to work harder and draw on inner strength is totally energizing. I am grateful to have the opportunity to test my limits.
You’ve heard people say when they have a tough challenge ahead, “It’s an uphill climb.” And, conversely, when something is easy they say, “It’s all downhill from here.”

I say – Embrace both the ups and downs. We have things to learn from both “hard” and “easy” days. And, keep your eye on the top of the hill – persist until you succeed. Reaching the summit of every hill in your life is the achievement of yet another goal.

This weekend, I am back in my hometown in Louisiana. Since I still have family here, I visit fairly often. However, this weekend will be one that will bring back many memories – my high school is holding an Ultimate Reunion for all the graduates who ever walked the halls since 1925.

Part of the fun includes going to favorite places to eat. Already on the way home from the airport, Mark and I stopped at a favorite local diner where the homemade pies and hot plate lunches are unequaled anywhere. Mark laughed when I said something about the “plate lunches.” We just didn’t talk about plate lunches while living in Chicago for so long.

As is the way with many vacations, it’s all about the food, and this trip is no exception. We already have several meals planned to meet with friends and to make sure that we hit our favorite eating spots.

The school activities will be taking place on Friday and Saturday, so I’ll be providing a full report of the goings on. It’s time to make some new memories.

Those of us who have pets believe in the human-animal bond. You can sometimes look into your dog’s eyes and know exactly what he is telling you. And, you’re not amazed when you say something to him, and he knows exactly what you are telling him.

I want to share with you a video of an unusual human-animal bond. I do not recommend that we hug wild animals, but this example of inter-species bonding is very touching. Enjoy.

Early this morning I ran the foothills – what a challenging and gorgeous adventure it was. As I am running a downhill race in August in the Black Hills of South Dakota, one of my commitments is to practice on hills.

The weather was cool – about 54 degrees – and the sun was coming up over the foothills. To me, they seem more like mountains, but everyone around here calls them foothills. The first half of the run was mostly uphill, and parts were rocky and steep. One wrong step and you can end up in the creek below but not before rolling over and into the bushes along the side of the path.

The farther I went into the hills, the wildflowers grew more abundant. Light blue, dark purple, white, yellow, red – you name it, all the colors were represented. The sound of the flowing water just below the path was welcoming to both me and the birds as I saw birds drinking in the creek. I stopped at irregular intervals to take in the surroundings (and because I needed to take a breath). The scenery was indeed breathtaking – both literally and figuratively speaking.

It is really easy to find places to connect with nature whether you are in a city, running along a river, or hiking in the foothills. You just have to take the time to find the right places. Connecting with nature can be as simple as noticing a bird, a tree, a flower in your own yard – you don’t have to be “in the wild.” So make time to find those connections, and you’ll discover a peace that you might not have felt in a long time.

I talk a lot about forming new good habits, and like you, I’m always a student, too. I’m 3 days into forming a new habit – and it’s one I “used to have,” but I lapsed a little. So, I’m back! And, I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Before I moved to Idaho, I lived in Chicago. During the summer, I woke up everyday no later than 5 am (often earlier) and headed out for my run. The sun came up so early there, and I loved to get out early enough to see the sun come up over Lake Michigan. I never had a problem getting up, and it became a very good habit. I would be finished with even the longest weekday run very early. Even in the winter, I could still get up early because living in the city, there were lights everywhere.

When I moved to Idaho, several things changed. (more…)

My dad died on September 16, 2001 – just 5 days after 911. That whole week, while we mourned with the rest of the country the families who lost loved ones on that day, we also mourned and celebrated “Papaw,” as everyone in the family called him.

Father’s Day is just a day to remind everyone to honor their dads, but Papaw is and was honored year-round. Although he left us nearly 7 years ago, we still talk about him and laugh at the things he used to say. The other night as I talked with my sister, she was telling me that she had no desire to shop in the huge outlet mall. She said, “Like Papaw used to say, he didn’t lose anything at the mall – he sure wasn’t going to find anything there.”

We all have funny and wise things that our dads say or used to say. Treasure those wise and silly sayings, even write them down…and use them with your own kids and grandkids. Those words will always be a way to honor them.

Yesterday, I spent all day in an Internet Marketing workshop. When you go to these one-day “seminars,” you can always learn something new – if you go in with the right mindset – especially when you know that it is going to involve a sales presentation.

Most of these workshops do involve people marketing something to “sell,” and I have no problem with that. Aren’t we all in the “marketing” business? Isn’t everyone trying to “sell” something? If Mark and I decide that we’re going to see a movie, I “sell” him on what movie I want to see. If you and a friend are deciding where to have lunch, do you ever “sell” her on a place to eat? Anytime someone is using persuasion for any reason, that is a form of “selling.” And, everyone of us do it everyday. (more…)