We all have so many things we want to accomplish in life – be a better parent, child, friend; be better runner; start or expand a business; get a raise or promotion; leave our corner of the world just a little better. When we look at the end goal, it can really seem overwhelming. How do I do The Big Thing? How do I make IT happen? As the famous saying goes, you eat an elephant one bite at a time. Today, while chasing your dreams …
1. Make one more phone call.
2. Run (walk, crawl) one more mile.
3. Write one more sentence.
4. Tell one more person how you honestly feel.
5. Make one more contact.
6. Send out one more letter.
7. Help one more person just because.
8. Tell one more person how much you appreciate him.
9. Do one more thing you are afraid to do.
10. Help one more person reach her dream through word, deed or support.
Today, just take one more step towards reaching your goal. Remember, one bite at a time.
What goals are you trying to reach that seem overwhelming?
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 4 comments }
Kent April 4, 2012 at 4:32 pm
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I’m 57 and just started running a year and a half ago. I never had a bucket list because quite frankly I’ve always been a pessimist and figured why bother I would probably fail at it anyway. That’s a really poor attitude to have I know, but when you spend your whole life thinking one way, its hard to change. At least it seemed that way till I started running and have actually (to my own amazement!) ran 2 half marathons. Even though I’m having trouble getting past 15 miles, I’m so excited about the idea of running a marathon that I feel like a teenager anticipating their first date. I remember watching Frank Shorter win the marathon in the ’72 Olympics and thinking: how is that humanly possible? – to run that far. I may only be half way there, but the pessimism that has plagued me all my life is giving way to a “I can do this” mindset, and I guess that makes it the first thing on my bucket list. I suppose another one would be to actually meet folks like yourself who run so much further and inspire me to never give up. Maybe I’m hoping something would rub off just being around someone who can run 100 miles!
By the way: yes I did copy and paste this from the 3rd, cause it really seemed so appropriate. Your thoughts today, of course extend far beyond running, but the accomplishments I’ve recently experienced in running have definitely served to open my eyes to other things in life as well that have been dormant for so many years.
That’s so great to hear, Kent! I am excited keep watching your progress!
I love this post, especially #9. I swear, I spent the majority of my life not doing things because I was afraid to try or afraid to fail. The last couple of years have been some of my happiest–and I definitely am happier with my SELF–since I stopped saying “I could never” and started saying “I wonder if I could”.
Now…maybe I need to put a little more focus on OTHER people. Good points.
Thanks, Kate! I think fear is a big problem for us all. That is why I loved reading about your LBL 24 Hour Adventure Race – it as so inspiring, and made me a little braver!
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