What If You Set a Ridiculously High Goal?

What is a ridiculous goal? Is it competing? Is it doing a marathon? Maybe it’s just doing a 5K or losing the baby weight. A ridiculous goal is a goal that you know will take a lot of work and dedication, but the result will take you much further than you may actually may believe is possible.

I personally never thought I’d compete. While I understood why people did it, and supported them, I was terrified of the thought of standing on stage for judges to critique my body. Lord knows I knew all my flaws already. I didn’t need anyone to point them out. However, I also finally admitted I’d never diet or train as hard as I would for a competition – not for a job, not for a shoot, not for a cruise or a reunion …not for nuthin’!

So, I set some ridiculously high goals – and if you have ever competed (or plan to), you too have set some ridiculously high goals. And, you know what? Even if you fail, you will likely fail way above any other goal.

Don’t get me wrong. Your goal may be a lifting goal (to lift a certain weight), or to have a better PR. If you are a CrossFitter, it might be to RX your first workout or to compete in the Games. If you are a runner or walker, you may set a performance goal of pace or entering a race. Your goal may be a weight goal, and dress size or doing an exercise you’ve never been able to do. I happened to set an aesthetic-based goal.

As a trainer, I wanted to experience this level of dieting, and train for a clear specific goal. I wanted to experience new cravings, feelings, struggles and emotions – both highs and lows. I wanted to learn what it felt like to be tired, scared (as I tried on a posing suit that looked 5 sizes too big). I needed to experience the craziness so I could better understand what our clients and competitors go through.

Even though I did well competing with others, the best job I did was beating myself. I blew the best older version of me out of the water. This year’s Bonnie beat last year’s model. It was a high goal. It was a ridiculously high goal, and I’d never would have come close if I didn’t go for it.

We will never know our potential unless we try and put our body to the test. I didn’t come in perfect. I still had flaws and things I wish I had done better. My posing could have been so much better, but I did well – and the thing that kept me going during the process was knowing that even if I failed, I’d be the best I’d ever had been before. Then how could I even fail?

Being better is not failure. Reaching a higher goal (even if it’s not THE goal) is not failure. It’s ALL progress. Competing (no matter what sport it is) isn’t for everyone, I admit. Personally, I enjoyed the challenge, the self-denial and the journey. I pretty much fought ever second of the commitment process (I was SO scared to commit to it in fear of failing) but I ending up loving ever minute of it.

I loved being a science project. I loved surprising myself. I loved testing my own training and knowledge on myself. I finished proud, better, more educated, more experienced, more humbled and more convinced anyone can do it if I can. Why not set a high goal? As long as your goal is achievable (other people who have the same obstacles as you are doing it), as long as it will not hurt relationships and as long as it’s realistic, you can do it. If someone else did it, so can you!

You never hit high if you aim low.

Do you have a goal you have been contemplating? Have you been doubting yourself? Have you been afraid you may set yourself up for failure? Do you know other people that are similar to you who have done it? Then, if they could do it, don’t you know YOU can?! Maybe it’s time to see what you got! I bet you will surprise yourself. I know I did!