Projects and Goals – The Power of the “First Step”
I’ve been doing resistance training, but of late my aerobic work has really struggled. I have found myself getting very creative with excuses as to why I can’t get out and run. Bottom line: two months with no running. Not that I was ever a prodigious runner anyway, but here I was doing nothing at all.
So last week I took this very logical step: I signed up for a 5K trail run.
I’ve never been in a race before (not since high school, anyway). I’m not fast and I’m not overly competitive. I have no delusions about finishing anywhere the front of the pack. I don’t know what a good time is. I don’t know what’s different about running on trails versus running on the street.
Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?
But here’s the thing. On Wednesday night I registered for the race. On Thursday morning I ran (and walked) a couple of miles. On Friday I ran (no walking) a couple of miles. On Saturday I timed out my first 5k (29:30 – horrible). On Sunday I knocked that down to 28:45. On Monday it was 27: 15.
The race is on September 19th. At this pace of improvement I’ll run the 5K in about 10 minutes!
All right, so I have a long way to go in a short period of time. And my 27:15 is nothing to write home about. But you know what? I did it. I’m running again. I’m out there at 6:30 in the morning pounding the pavement. I’m getting back in running shape.
What is this whole discussion about? Goals? Well, yes, but more specific than that. It’s not so much about the end goal. In this case it’s about taking the first step. The goal is to get back in strong running shape. The first step: register for the race. Everything else fell into place when I got that one task completed. And that task was quick and exceedingly simple (first steps usually are).
Can I challenge you to re-think your goals and to focus in on just two things:
1) Clarify the end result
2) Do the first, simple step
Here are some simple examples – the end result and the first step:
- Read a book = read a review of the book online
- Organize your home office = learn a simple organization system
- Fix the toilet = take it apart; then there is no going back!
- Write a book = write a one-page summary
- Transfer home videos to your computer = gather all the videos into one stack and sort by date
You’ve the heard the quote by the Chinese philosopher: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Why not take that first step today.
And by the way, we would love to hear your first steps – share them in the space below.
