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Cristina Cristina Sendmail

How important is goal setting to you?

asked about 1 month ago | Report

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12 answers

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  • Bo A. Bo A. Sendmail

    Its what keeps me running right now. Its what motivates me to pick up the pace when I've fallen behind. My current goal (on NikeRunning) is 500km by May, my goal for that is keeping me on pace to finish about a week ahead. I also set out goals for my runs... My weekend runs I shoot for distance and try to go a little farther (.5k here... 1k there) on one of the two runs. On my weekday runs I simply try to better my time.

    That said... for me goals are about setting rational ones... ones that are within reach... they just take me a little more energy, a little more discipline, or to simply push a little harder. Goals that are too much of a reach can be counter-motivating.

    answered about 1 month ago |Report

  • Kv Kv Sendmail

    Since I'm looking to improve my running and cycling, goals are very important to me. Having something to work towards helps keep me motivated and dedicated.

    It sounds corny and very Tony Robbins-ish, but the SMART goal system really does work. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. If you form goals which satisfy those requirements and form a plan to achieve it you really can't help but succeed.

    I wrote about my cycling goals on my blog: http://lifeandbikes.blogspot.com/2010/01/smart-goals-for-2010.html

    answered about 1 month ago |Report

  • Greg S. Greg S. Sendmail

    Goal setting is really everything to me. For me, I do much better workouts when I have a firm goal with a deadline on the calendar.

    answered about 1 month ago |Report

  • Samantha G. Samantha G. Sendmail

    I think it's extremely important for me. It doesn't have to be a specific race, but having either a distance or pace or time related goal helps me stay focused. Of course it's always nice to run without any objectives, but in the big picture it helps give a purpose to your running.

    answered 27 days ago |Report

  • Ally S. Ally S. Sendmail

    Goal setting is very important to me. I dont like to go along aimlessly, I like to workout with a purpose, and racing gives me something to work towards. During down times I enjoy training less, and look forward to my next goal.....
    Daily Mile is the absolute best place to be for setting goals and sticking to them.........

    answered 27 days ago |Report

  • Kevin Kevin Sendmail

    No goals no results. Structure and discipline are paramount to my success as an athlete. If I didn't have goals and a structured training plan, I'd probably not be here.

    answered 27 days ago |Report

  • Krista L. Krista L. Sendmail

    I am a huge fan of goals - big or small, private or public. It serves as motivation for me. Gives me accountability. I always like to be challenged by something in some way. Times goals, mileage goals, whatever the case may be. I feel like I need something to work toward. Helps me feel like I'm accomplishing something.

    answered 27 days ago |Report

  • Timothy W. Timothy W. Sendmail

    Goal setting is extremely important, but in my opinion you must first establish a vision for you your overall health and well being. Then, you can set goals to track your progress towards "living" your vision. I expound on this in my most recent blog post regarding getting and staying motivated. Check it out at http://runridelive.blogspot.com/.

    answered 27 days ago |Report

  • Jason C. Jason C. Sendmail

    Goals are very important to me. They provide direction and give me a method of measuring my accomplishment. That being said, I think goals can be a bad thing if unrealistic or if reaching that goal defines your self worth. When it comes to races I have two part goals consisting of an "I want" and an "I'd like" My first half marathon my "I want" was to finish the race. My "I'd like" was to finish in 2:10. I didn't make my "I'd like," but it did not take away from me enjoying my accomplishment.

    answered 27 days ago |Report

  • Bethlin B. Bethlin B. Sendmail

    Just to provide a different voice - i have goals for particular workouts that are very SMART, but I feel like approaching lifestyle-fitness for me also involves just getting up and DOING something, not doing a specific something. If I set a goal and, for whatever reason (weather, motivation, injury, life getting in the way, etc) I don't meet it, I can end up de-motivating myself. The only real "goal" I have is that, unless it will physically injure me, I WILL do my distance on my once-weekly long run so that I can pull off my first 10K. Other than that, my "goal" is to feel strong and happy - that involves a 15 minute circuit training session during my lunch hour or attending the Wednesday morning yoga class or spending sometime on the treadmill - but if I don't beat myself up if I don't make it or if I can't lift as much as I'd like, etc. I try to re-evaluate at night before I go to bed; do I feel tired and do my body and mind feel content? If not, then I just need to plan a little and do something different tomorrow.

    If I set too many specific goals, I end up paralyzing myself with the planning and the guilt if it doesn't work out perfectly.

    answered 12 days ago |Report

  • Lenny G. Lenny G. Sendmail

    I set goals as a fun and challenging way to improve myself. Sometimes, especially if I'm in a bad mood, I'll just set easy goals designed more for fun than a challenge so I still accomplish some exercise but don't get too down on myself when I'm not feeling my best.

    answered 11 days ago |Report

  • Jen S. Jen S. Sendmail

    I think setting goals is very important; at least to me. I have to have a goal-something to strive for and it keeps me motivated!!
    I believe in setting small attainable goals-cheive those goals and then make new ones and keep moving forward, constantly trying to improve yourself.

    answered 4 days ago |edited 4 days ago |Report

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