Stop Setting Goals (Substitute With This Instead)

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

Author James Clear

The problem with goal-setting

We were pushed to set goals as kids. What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you think you can achieve on the exam? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

There is a significant problem with this set-up. We are limited in our vision of ourselves along the path to improvement. We cannot truly imagine how capable we can be from our current vantage point.

Case study:

At the beginning of this triathlon season I set a goal of finally breaking the 1 hour 30 min finish time barrier. I based the goal on a very educated analysis of past finish times, ramping up with a better training plan and getting better over 4 races throughout the summer.

The result:

Way better than I ever imagined.

Multiple top 10 finishes in my age group and a silver medal at the Bracebridge race put on by Multisport Canada!

Why the gap?

I was limiting myself in my true capability, seeing myself in my previous fitness, training, sleeping and eating patterns of one year ago.