Visualize yourself achieving your goal!
By Kimberly Hall
Photo by Jacob Peters-Lehm
It’s the morning of March 10, 2019 in Paris, France and I’m running my 50th race. The crowd is cheering at the finish line as I meet my sub-two-hour race goal. With my hands raised high, I stand upright and scream with joy and pride. I’ve run 50 half marathons by age 50 and I am in the best shape of my life! Life is golden, and I feel amazing!
Have you ever had a big goal and wondered, Is this goal realistic? Can I really do this? Have you ever talked yourself out of pursuing a goal? Was it for fear of disappointing yourself and others? Were you impatient? Did you think you weren’t capable? If you are nodding “yes” to any of these questions, you are not alone! Here is how I employ some modified visualization techniques to help me achieve my goals.
Set Clear Goals
Start with setting a clear and concise goal. Having a goal is great, but if it isn’t clear, it will be tough to achieve. It’s hard to to hit a moving target! Write or type your goals and place them in a place where you’ll see them. I put my goals on my vision board and in my personal calendar. It’s important to keep your goals where you can see them.
Next, find a quiet place where you can sit and visualize your goal. Imagine what it would look like and how it would feel to accomplish. I get goose bumps visualizing my goal, which is to complete 50 half or full marathons by the age of 50. Imagining crossing the finish line of my 50th race is exhilarating. I use that feeling as fuel for developing my plan of action.
Develop a Plan of Action
This is where the rubber meets the road. You must detail what needs to happen, including the milestones you must hit and resources you need to achieve your goal. This step is very important! I’ve learned through the years that developing plans for my goals reduces my anxiety and fear. Always start with developing larger milestones, and then create smaller ones with more detail. Afterwards, visualize achieving your goal, but now with more detail about that day. What will that moment feel like? What will you be thinking? Think of these moments over and over again, as often as you want to. Be your own cheerleader and make a decision to blow your own mind! Stay focused and committed.
Pivot When Needed
As we all know, life happens. Sometimes you have to pivot. It’s okay to re-work the plan. Don’t get discouraged, and don’t give up on your goal! You’ve worked too hard to let one setback derail you. Remember you are Unstoppable. Refocus and rework the plan to meet your goal.
Make It Happen
You’ve worked hard. You’ve made sacrifices to meet this goal. You’ve followed the plan and you are prepared. You’ve visualized this day in and day out. Now it’s time to make it happen.