Commentary by Rick Rodriguez
Simply put achieving goals comes down to a few basic things but none is more basic than writing down your goals! I found this to be the case experimenting with this process for nearly thirty years. Of course, what I am about to share is nothing some hot shot guru can't tell you; or a professional athlete; famous actor or somebody even more impactful--an iconic figure. The difference between them and me is well I am none of those! I am merely someone that believed enough in the power of writing down goals that it inspired me enough to go out and achieve them!
So, how did it go? I mean for me. Did I achieve what I set out to do when I was twenty years old? Yes would be my first answer! A closer look though reveals that I achieved some things quite accurately; others not at all, and still some others as a modified version. Was I disappointed of not reaching all my goals? Frankly, not really, but some could have been better had I had more: awareness, ambition, ability, and had taken more action!
For example, in 1993, I set out to run a marathon (26.2 mile races), partly because I wanted a big challenge and at the time it was somewhat of a huge accomplishment. Of course, it still is a big accomplishment but many more people have found that with dedication, desire, and commitment this is an attainable goal. I achieved this goal in San Francisco and later in the same year in Dallas, Texas! On that day in Dallas, I achieved what would be my fastest time (3:36) and actually had a better pace going to twenty miles (2:40)! Naturally, I was extremely proud to have run that race that well to my level of training in such a short time (less than a year) but my awareness level was low after the accomplishment. I took for granted the training that created that level of fitness. I also didn't recognize my ability. I somewhat took for granted that I could muster the ambition to improve. And, needless to say, I did not take the action to get me to the next level! I peaked in Dallas, Texas! Not really a big deal since it was never my goal to be an incredibly fast runner and I was only running for the joy of it and the sense of accomplishment.
However, therein lies a learning lesson about writing down your goals:
1) Have an awareness of what you've accomplished and what it took to create that experience
2) Understand the motivation of your ambition and why you wanted to achieve this goal
3) Analyze your ability to achieve a certain goal. Can you improve based on your capability?
4) Take action toward a new goal!
Things could have changed with my running goals had I had an awareness of where I was in terms of maximizing this goal; my ability to run longer and faster was hindered by an analysis of an action plan and without a greater ambition to run better---as I mentioned I was peaked! Nonetheless, these days, I still run and ran ten marathons before I started running 1/2 marathons simply because I had so many other things I wanted to accomplish!
Achieving Goals comes down to these basic principles. The people that have achieved success have modified versions of my contentions here but there are certainly many similarities. Frankly, however, most anyone would tell you from professional athletes to motivational speakers to anyone that has lived their dreams. Achieving goals comes down to an awareness of what you want. The ability to attain it. The ambition for it and a action plan to achieve it. Write down your goals and start achieving them! I did and it sure helped me!!
Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children. Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.
Follow Rick at:
www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rocket
www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rodriguez_Report
