The most effective goals in life are big and juicy – and just a touch audacious.
They are the kinds of targets that you have to work for, that take an undulating pathway, that at first seem unlikely – even to yourself.
I am joining a few thousand other athletes next weekend in tackling the Sunshine Coast Ironman 70.3: the 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run done back-to-back.
A few years ago, entering such an endurance event would have been unthinkable. I am well into my middle years, after all.
I was also born with congenital defects in both my knees, undergoing reconstructions in childhood. While I have always been physically active, an athletic star I have never been.
Fast forward to about five years ago, and a few surf club mates and I decided to enter a local sprint triathlon. I had rarely ridden a bike in adulthood and had not swum laps since high school, but I found it equal parts challenging and fun.
The triathlon bug bit me, bringing into my world like-minded Sun Coasters who populate the pre-dawn light.
My new-found enthusiasm led to my acceptance into the Noosa-based Cupcake Cartel: an international collection of triathletes of all abilities and ages who encourage, include and share positively in each other’s journey. My world and my dreams got bigger.
I started to wonder if I could one day complete Ironman’s little sibling, the 70.3. And this year, I thought: “If not now, then when?”
Add my athletic husband’s encouragement and here I am with my toes almost on the starting line.
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Being around those who take on big physical, emotional or habit-changing goals and make it helps when doubt and fear niggle.
I have, in my circle, many who have done extraordinary feats of endurance, some who have transformed their hurt or unhealthy bodies, and those who have found inner calm where fury once lived.
Research on goal setting in middle and older years confirms it staves off the blues, helps individuals to feel relevant and builds connectedness.
Big, juicy goals are for those who believe we owe it to ourselves and the world to actively engage in the brief moment we have on the planet, to strive and try and stretch the boundaries of what we thought we were capable of.
Such audacity is a way to feel truly alive.
Dr Jane Stephens is a UniSC journalism lecturer, media commentator and writer.
