“What’s going to be your new normal?” This question crossed my mind in the weeks leading up to my 4th half marathon. I had a goal finish time that would stretch me beyond what I’d achieved in any of my previous races. I knew that I could finish but could I achieve let alone exceed my goal time. I was excited and scared but I believed I could create a new normal.
In my previous events, my goal was to complete the race – just cross the finish line is what I would tell myself. But yesterday I realized that crossing the finish line is the easy part. What I sacrificed to get to the finish line is what makes the finish so beautiful. I had to say no to “relaxing a little longer” (code for being lazy) and yes to going to the gym. I had to say no to my favorite junk foods and yes to more fruits and veggies. I had to say no I don’t feel like running today but yes I will do it anyway. I had to say no to sleeping in on New Year’s Eve and yes to seeing my vision become a reality. I did it because I had a new normal to create.
In all my years of goal setting and coaching, one thing remains the same no matter who you are – you can’t achieve your goals or create a new normal without taking consistent action. I don’t believe simply taking action is enough because if you have a goal to lose weight and go to the gym once every six months, your weight will most likely not go down. But, you did take action. To achieve any goal, your actions must be consistent over time.
I don’t know what your goal is or what your finish line looks like but I do know that anything is possible when you take consistent action and believe in yourself. What’s going to be your new normal in 2014?
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