WHY GOALS ARE GOOD

Ashling McCloy - 9 Oct 13

Training for a half-marathon has helped Ashling McCloy rediscover how good it feels to set a goal

Goals. Pah! I don’t have time for goals, you say. Much like drinking water and working those pelvic floor muscles, we know they’re good for us but we struggle to fit them in to our crazy lives. Which is weird, considering goals have brought us to this very point.

Exams. Uni. Job promotion. Having a baby. And then, suddenly, putting on make-up can become a goal. Even getting out the door is pretty daunting. For a time, post baby, we have to embrace the smaller challenges we once took for granted. As a result, some of us lose a bit of confidence. So imagine the euphoria of achieving those big things again.

You see, while we’ve been focusing on our off-springs’ developments, we often lose track of our own. When our child isn’t eating/sleeping/generally pushing us to the limit we whip out the infamous rewards chart. Why? Because (in most cases!), it works. Our child sees their own progression, recognises the perks and they improve. So why can’t we benefit from the odd reward?

Prior to kids, I was career driven. I knew what I wanted. Then my little sprogs arrived and my whole world went into a bit of a headspin. Where was I going? How could I be a good mum and still do my job? I’m not going to lie, I was a tad flummoxed but as with most women, you just get on with it.

Then six months ago I was handed a proposition: would I be willing to do a half marathon for charity? And, in my own ‘can’t say no’ fashion, I said yes. I panicked. I’m not sporty. Hell, my trainers are retro and not in an ironic way. With some family encouragement and a great personal cause* to train for, I began taking little steps. I rejoiced at making it to a mile, two miles and then three miles. I pushed through the pain because I had a goal.

I’m not writing this to say ‘yay me’. Nope. My point is that working towards the unthinkable becomes an incredible journey with some serious gratification along the way. For me, clocking up the miles was one thing but I didn’t expect the rest… my energy improved, my confidence grew, my moods mellowed and I was having a good time.

I run before the kids get up or after they’ve gone to bed. I listen to my music; I plan my day. It’s my time to get myself together, to think. It’s headspace. I’m not making record times but that was never the point. There’s nothing like running through London parks as the sun goes down or along the Irish coast in a downpour, to give you perspective.

So maybe you fancy setting up a business or going back to school. Maybe you want to write a book or even just read a book. Options are endless but once you put your mind to it, you have something to focus on, something just for you. Throw out the guilt and start seeing all those mini achievements along the way. Go on… you can do it!

Five reasons I think goals are good:

1.  THEY HELP US BELIEVE IN OURSELVES
Break your goal down into smaller, manageable goals. That way it’s easier to see results, measure success and move on to the next.

2. GOALS GIVE US FOCUS
Like having a to-do list, you can tune in to what you want and see the benefits.

3. THEY MOTIVATE US
As with our child’s reward chart, success and accomplishment make us feel amazing.

4. GOALS TURN DREAMS INTO REALITY
It’s easy to have big ideas but once you write those dreams down and set deadlines they become easier to visualise. Seeing your goals written down will help when motivation or confidence may fade.

5. GOALS GIVE US HEADSPACE
Yes, time to concentrate on you, just you, and discover what you want to achieve.

*My daughter was born prematurely so I’m running to raise money for First Touch (http://www.first-touch.org.uk) who look after premature and sick babies. A personal cause certainly helps with the motivation! To find out more www.justgiving.com/ashlingandamyrun

Ashling McCloy

Ashling McCloy has been a journalist for over 10 years. As well as writing for publications including Red Magazine, she is a style expert for QVC. She is mother to Gracie, 6 and Betsy, 3, and is married to Tom. They live in Balham, London. In her spare time Ashling raises funds for First Touch, the charity for the neonatal unit at St George's Hospital.

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