The Benefits of Not Achieving A Goal

When I ran the marathon in 4:24, and the goal was “in under 4 hours”
… I didn’t achieve my goal.
When I completed 5 of my 100 before 100, and the goal was to complete 10
… I didn’t achieve my goal.
When I read 4 books for fun, instead of the 5 that this non-reader set as the goal
… I didn’t achieve my goal.

And still, I read four more books than I would have, crossed off a bunch of cool items from my list, and still ran a marathon!

Not achieving goals liberates me.

It creates a new normal.

When I thought one book was all I could finish given this busy time of my life, I now know that I can make the time required to do (at least) four. When I thought 10 km was the only distance I would be able to run, I now know that 42.2 km is possible.
My status quo gets elevated. I have a new plateau to jump from.

It trains my ego.

When I fail in public, my desire to look good flares its evil head.
How can I cover it up? How can I justify not making the goal? What’s my excuse, my reason, my logic?
This is my ego reminding me that I’m human and I care about people’s perception of me. (Heck – community isn’t built alone.) It teaches me to love my failures. Not achieving my goal gives me an opportunity to work with my ego and refine the relationship I have with my inner dialogue.

It creates a new possibility for someone else.

When I take on a big goal, I become a possibility for someone else. When I run a 10 km race, the people that cheer on the sidelines begin to think “I wonder if I could do that too.” When she climbs up the Grouse Grind 11 times in one day, the people who have never done the Grind before begin to think “I could go climb up once.” A new thought pattern clicks in the minds of those around me – whether I achieve my goal or not.

The power of vision and goals does not come in the achievement of the goals.
It comes from the human-ness we show when we put ourselves out there.

Pick of the Post: Alex Clare – Too Close

Related posts:

1. Every Big Goal Has a Total Nemesis
2. The Cost of Achieving Your Goals
3. lululemon athletica’s Vision & Goal Setting: SeaWheeze style