#Goals: What Riding and Writing have Taught Me (Part 1)
Note: The following post was adapted from days #1-5 of the Hope*Writers Fall 2019 10-Day Instagram Challenge, in which the following word prompts were given: START, ANGLE, SEASON, FOLLOW, & RECORD.
START: Just Do It!
Maybe it’s my Enneagram 7-ish-ness. Or the dreamer in me. But finding new things to start has never been the issue. It’s sticking it out to the finish that’s the real kicker.
I often start with gusto, but slowly lose steam as time goes on. It’s the way I do meal-planning, and gardening, and knitting, and several other pastimes. Self-discipline is hard. Stick-to-itiveness is not in my blood.
Still, I’ve somehow managed to meet my annual bike-riding goal. I’ve made it to the finish the past three years as I rode (or surpassed) my age in miles in a day. This year, that’s 56 miles. I surprise myself every year when my Cyclemeter matches my age (because did I mention, I have a hard time “finishing?”).
I’m gaining insight into what works for this quitter. Insight I’m hoping will work for other goals, like writing. After all, how is a non-finisher going to write a book? Is this just another dreamer-goal?
The first insight is that I start by “just doing it.” Every day (okay, not every day because I cannot tell a lie, but MOST days), I need to put my feet to the pedals and just do it. I need to put my fingers to the keyboard and just do it. So that’s where I’ll start. I’ll just do it. (Maybe there’s something to that Nike slogan after all.)
Read on, and I’ll share my other epiphanies in setting goals and meeting them. On becoming a biker. On becoming a writer. On becoming what God has intended me to be.
If you’ll ride the journey with me, I’ll show how you too, can cross that finish line!
ANGLE: Make a Plan
I see this warning sign as I bike along the Migizi Trail. Stay alert! A steep hill is coming! My hands get ready, hovering over the brake levers. My legs relax as I look forward to soaring down the hill, wind blowing through the vents in my helmet and ruffling my shirt against my sides.
The steepness of the hill’s angle determines my speed and how I approach . With caution? Or caution to the wind?
In the same way, we need to approach goals with a plan. If ideas come too quickly they carry us away and we are soon overwhelmed with too many things to do. Without a plan we lose control. It’s time to put on the brakes.
I didn’t meet my biking goal by racing out on the first day of summer to do it. I needed that plan. Time in my schedule to train. Routes to gradually increase my distances. New trails to hold my interest. Music to push me gently along when tired. Organized rides with *SAG stops to sustain me on longer distances. (*SAG: a biking term standing for “Sustenance and Gear.”)
Writing goals also require planning. There never seems to be enough time, but finding a few minutes a day to write has become vital to my progress and my happiness. Instruction strengthens my weaker writing muscles. New topics peak my interest. Music, again, pushes me along and brings focus. Support groups assist with new and daunting tasks, like writing books and proposals.
What goals are you pursuing? Have you found your calling? Approach it with purpose and a plan. Cover it with prayer. Find your angle and do what it takes to put it into motion.
Then let yourself relax and fly, wind in your hair, toward your dreams.
SEASON: the Gift of Today
What’s your favorite SEASON?
I love Fall…with its evenings as crisp as apples and its colors exploding like fireworks.
But Winter makes me crave all things cozy…ya’ gotta’ love it too!
And then there’s Spring, with its promise of new beginnings…definitely a fave!
All culminating in Summer with its glorious sunshine and warmth and flowers and biking.
How can anyone really pick a favorite?
And yet. I often find myself looking forward to the next season. Or dreaming of the last. I itch for the change in season when my current favorite is still in its glory.
Seasons of life are passing me by. Childhood, the teen years, young adulthood, parenting, empty nesting, working, and someday-retirement. “For everything there is a season. And a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecc. 3:1)
Does writing stories of life’s happenings put a spotlight on the past? Perhaps. But without stories, our “today” would be devoid of lessons learned.
Does setting goals focus too much energy on the future? Possibly. But without goals, our “today” would lack purpose.
And so, with the memories of yesterday and the possibilities of tomorrow, I’m leaving my mark on today. Today is the season for change. Today is the gift I’ve been given.
What will I do with it?
FOLLOW: Chase the Good Leaders (then become one!)
When Tom and I ride together, he’s usually in the lead. I follow. He alerts me to dangers on the path and lets me know it’s time to make a turn or stop. I watch his moves and make adjustments. He pushes me to keep going. He waits for me when I fall behind.
There are days we like to blaze our own trail, but life isn’t meant to be a solo adventure. We’re designed to follow and lead.
Goals are achieved by watching others who go before us. Who inspire us. Who lead us. Then, in turn, WE begin to lead.
I’m inspired by other writers. Intrigued by other travelers. Drawn to other empty nesters. Captivated by other musicians and gardeners and knitters. I’m led by other believers. And I’m striving to be like Jesus.
Chasing after the good we see in others and the example set by Christ, we fix our eyes on the prize. We know where to go and how to get there. In following, we find knowledge, skills, strength, and the faith we need to navigate our own paths and take the lead for others.
We’re designed to follow; then equipped to lead. And our journey continues.
RECORD: Personal Progress, Not Comparison
Friends sometimes ask what my longest ride has been. If they are not regular bikers, they’re surprised when I say “67 miles.” While it may seem a LOT compared to what they’ve done, it’s NOT much compared to the long-distance (100+ miles) bikers we often chat with.
On organized bike rides, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. As speedier bikers whiz around me and climb hills effortlessly while I putz my way up, I feel defeated. Then, as I zoom past another rider, I puff up with pride at the thought of my athletic prowess (LOL!). But neither of these mindsets helps me on my journey. What does help is something I’ve learned from my sister’s kids.
My nieces and nephews run cross-country and I rarely hear how they placed after a race. But I DO hear when they set a new PR! They, their teammates, and their parents are thrilled! They’ve taught me that a Personal Record is the best way to measure one’s own progress, to set attainable goals, and to be content with your own pace.
It’s much the same with writing. When I read a beautiful essay by a seasoned writer do I feel “less than?” Or do I cheer her on and aspire to one day write with my own stirring voice? When I read a piece by a brand new writer do I gloat a little? Or do I remember where I started and send a note of encouragement?
What matters in both biking and writing is not how I measure up against others, but rather seeing my own growth and knowing how far I’ve come.
My writing is my own personal record; an account of my life. My stories are a gift I offer to others that they can choose to open or leave untouched. They are not a measuring stick of my worth. Thankfully, my worth comes from a source much bigger than myself. A source of love and acceptance that surpasses the glory of any earthly PR.
In Him I run my race and set my pace, knowing I’ve already won the prize.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Heb. 12: 1-2a)