Process Makes Perfect

Goal Setting and Value Identification

In order to achieve in any aspect of your life, especially athletically, goal setting is of vital importance. Chances are, you already knew that. And chances are, you may not have found goal setting to be all that motivating. Usually this happens because our long-term goals are either poorly defined or can seem incredibly daunting and far away. Fear not, there is a remedy!

Process driven, not goal driven

Long-term goal setting is important. BUT the process goals we set to get there are vastly more important when it comes to motivation. So if your long-term goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon, great! But you can’t stop there. You must identify the small, incremental steps that will help you to hit that qualifying time. In this case, you may set a process goal to start running 5 days per week, regardless of time or distance. Once this process goal is achieved, the next process goal may be to run a certain mileage per week. Followed by mileage at a certain time. Next up are shorter races to establish success in a competitive environment. This process eventually leads you to your qualifying race!

Value Identification

Process goals are great, but motivation can still be hard to come by, especially in our hectic lives! The best way to ensure that you follow your process goals is to summon intrinsic motivation through value identification. Once you know why you run or train, the smaller, seemingly pointless steps (i.e., running a mile when you’re tired), are easier to do. So while the goal may be to qualify for Boston, the value that drives you will keep you going. Consider the following value statement: “I run to enrich my life and overcome physical and mental challenges in order to show myself I can conquer any challenge.”

Now it’s your turn, why do you train?!