​Is the toughest part of goal-setting making the goals or modifying them correctly? Even if your goals are reasonable yet challenging, you’ll likely have to change them—and that’s okay! Everyone can benefit from actually figuring out their goals (long-term and short-term) and coming up with a visual means of working towards them. However, writing them down with a pen can be intimidating. It makes goals feel permanent, unmoving, and unchanging. Goals are actually very fluid and should be changed.

Last week we took a look at some strategies for setting training and racing goals. We mentioned that they should be “SMARTER” (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Timely, Exciting, and Risky). We also talked about how you might look results from previous races to help you construct a race specific goal, or go even deeper and look at your own internal motivations to help you set a longer-term goal.

This week, I wanted to share a strategy that can help you supercharge goal achievement. That strategy is using the power of community. Regardless of whether your goals are athletics, professional, or personal, being able to share what you’re trying to achieve, with someone else, can benefit you in a few ways.

Community adds another layer of accountability
Knowing that you’ve put something out for your community to see can make the goal feel more real. Having someone to share your updates with can help you stay accountable, and promotes a focus on making incremental progress, week-over-week.

​Community helps you refine your path
A community is full of collective knowledge and experiences. By sharing a goal, you might get feedback from others in the community who have walked a similar path, and can help guide you in the right direction.

​Community gives you a place to celebrate
Too often, we reach our goals or targets, and fail to pause and celebrate. An encouraging, supportive community will  celebrate with you. This can in turn provide more motivation and momentum toward achieving your next goal!

Spring feels like it is finally just around the corner, and several of us are getting ready to kick off a new racing season!

Maybe you have already eyed up a few key events, or you are are even signed up for an “A Race.” Even if you’re still looking for your main event, the time to start considering goals for the season is now!

So, where do we start when thinking about what a season’s goals could look like?

First, I like my athletes to get the big picture view of what they’re hoping to achieve over the season. This might take the shape of something like “I have three races I want to run.” It could also sound like “I want to finish my first Ironman,” or “I’d like to become a runner so that I can maintain my health and keep up with my kids.”