When people start talking about goal setting, I eat this stuff up. I am a major to-do-list maker. I've generally got willpower to a fault, so once I set a goal in my head it usually takes root.
That's part of why I started writing this blog. I find that people (myself included) tend to either underestimate or overestimate what they can achieve, especially in the short term. For some of the crazier goals I've set for myself (ultramarathons, climbing the Alps), I've had to have a little more flexibility with my goal setting. Still, I love writing them down and I love reviewing them every day. It makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere in life. My goals usually expand the things I want to get better at, and, yes, even at my age there are things I want to get better at.
Well, as you know, last year I had planned to return to the Alps to climb another 4,000-meter peak -- the Allalinhorn to be exact. It didn't happen. I didn't feel I was strong enough for that peak, and my mountain guide agreed with me. I had trained long and hard for that peak, but it was not to be. I was okay with that. Experts tell us that the act of writing down goals makes it infinitely more likely that you will pursue and even achieve them. But nothing is guaranteed. Goals, we are told, should be challenging, but they should also be believable. So I've been saying to myself, "Dave, is there an Alp you think is still achievable for a guy who will turn 73 next June?" Dave replied, "Yep. How 'bout the Riffelhorn?" So I've prayed about it and I've decided, Lord willing, to give the old Riffelhorn a try next summer if I think I'm ready for it. It's considered a "baby Alp" for people who do high elevation mountaineering, but since I'm "regressing" in my ability that's not a bad thing. Besides, I wouldn't mind getting back to my favorite European city (Zermatt). Even if you never climb a peak, Zermatt offers hundreds of scenic running trails and even its own marathon. If it floats your boat, why not go for it, right? Really, the overriding goal here is to tap into your full potential as a human being and as a creation of God. We are truly at our best when we we accept what is and work with it instead of trying to change or stop it. Aging is inexorable. But you need to get over it. The less time you think about how old you are allows you to think about what you want.
I could go on and on but I think you see my point. I appreciate the many opportunities God gives me to be active. I continue to set new goals to reach for and will never allow my failures to control my thinking. And so, during today's workout, I focused on being present and just enjoying the process.
And, since upper body strength is crucial for alpine climbing, I focused on arm and back exercises. I used this band a lot.
It allows me to do assisted pull ups.
It's still hard work, just a bit easier. These are the kinds of exercises that will hopefully get me back to the Alps.
Friend, you get out of life what you put into it. So be devoted and you will see results. Give yourself a small yet achievable goal and go for it. But keep it all in perspective. Being fit and having goals is amazing, but that's not all that there is to life. There's a balance to be found. Don't let your ego get the best of you. Above all, have gratitude. If you are able to get out of bed in the morning, your body is doing you a favor. Don't take that for granted.
Most good things in life don't come easy. That's what makes life so amazing. Something in the human spirit sings whenever we go further than we ever thought we could.
Happy goal setting!