{"id":52166,"date":"2023-01-13T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T23:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=52166"},"modified":"2023-01-17T15:01:14","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T04:31:14","slug":"new-year-goals-for-adventurers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/new-year-goals-for-adventurers\/","title":{"rendered":"An Adventurer\u2019s Guide to Setting New Year Goals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The fireworks have gone off, and midnight December 31 has been and gone. You have some big ideas for how you want things to be this year, but you\u2019re not sure how to make it happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No doubt, since the dreaded COVID came into our lives and changed the landscape of racing, events, and your trust in signing up for anything, things may have changed for you in respects to how you plan things now. You may have become a little shy about doing so, lest all your hard work goes to waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So whether you\u2019ve been running, adventuring, or getting out and about in nature for just a short time, you\u2019re an old-timer (like me!), or you\u2019re thinking of trying something new \u2013 here is my 3-step process for setting meaningful New Year’s goals and sticking to them, come what may.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You have big ideas for how you want things to be this year – here’s how to make it happen. Credit: Ben Wallbank<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step One<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Review the Year Gone By<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is my fav! I love reviewing things. Seriously, I use this tool daily in all areas of my life, but it\u2019s also helpful for the big stuff \u2013 like reviewing a year that\u2019s been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The review process and assessment tool I both use and recommend comprises just three questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. What worked?<\/li>
  2. What didn\u2019t work?<\/li>
  3. What can I do differently?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Reviewing is helpful in all areas of my life, but also for the big stuff. Credit: Ben Wallbank<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to reviewing the year, you can break it down to any area of life where you want to experience growth moving forward. It\u2019s an \u2018all data, no drama\u2019 approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some questions you might want to consider here are how well your goals aligned with your values and beliefs, and how well your goals worked with your life. By answering these questions, you can gain some key insights into where you should be putting your time in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    When reviewing the year, you can break it down to wherever you want to experience growth moving forward. Credit: Ben Wallbank<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I had an amazing year in 2022, completing my biggest mission to date: crossing new Zealand in a human-powered adventure. I started a business, and still have pinch-myself moments that I am in fact living the dream\u2026 or my version of the dream, at least!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I also raced a bit, and got back into the gym to get strong. COVID, illness, and injury stole time last year, but provided more time to reflect on what is really important to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What worked for me was adventuring, what didn\u2019t work was doing races. The latter were good for PR or my sponsors, but what I have come to know deeply is that I must evaluate what I do in regard to my long-term plans and values \u2013 not what I feel \u2018I have to do for sponsors\u2019 or what I \u2018should\u2019 do as a \u2018runner\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I have come to know that I must evaluate what I do in regard to my long-term plans and values<\/em>. Credit: Ben Wallbank<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step Two<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Determine What You\u2019re Aiming For, and Why<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Is your goal to run your first 5km or your 10th 100-miler? Maybe you are moving away from racing and are more interested in having adventures in the wild. Whatever your goal is, it is great to consider what it is you get from achieving it, and who you get to be as a person by achieving that goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With a solid understanding of your \u2018why\u2019, you are much more likely to get yourself out of bed to do the less glamorous stuff that comes with working towards your goals!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4:00am starts are no problem when I\u2019m doing it to be a better version of myself, but maybe a little harder if I\u2019m just doing it because my friends are, or because social media made my goal look like a cool thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Getting to the gym to do my strength work is no problem when I value the long-term strength of my body, but maybe a little harder if all I care about is having a good run streak on Strava, or proving to myself that I can run X number of kilometres every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You get the gist. We can have intentions, beliefs, and values that are helpful and move us forward, or shi*tty ones that may set us up to fail. Knowing these, and coming from a strong and positive place from the outset, will set you up for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Getting to the gym is no problem when I value the long-term strength of my body. Credit: Ben Wallbank<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If your \u2018why\u2019 also goes beyond just the achievement of the goal and the journey becomes the focus, then come what may in this crazy old world. Whether you achieve the goal you set or not, you get to be a better person either way – which is a win, in my book!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step two is simple then, as simply statements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. My goal is to:<\/li>
    2. My \u2018why\u2019 for this goal is:<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      My goals moving into 2023 are to have more adventures that are in line with my core values, while also growing my repertoire of skills beyond running.  Running will always be my first love, for sure \u2013 but there are others skills that I would like to gain for other life experiences I would like to have. My \u2018why\u2019 remains firm in finding my edges, growing as a person, and showing others what is possible when we overcome our fears and limiting beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      My \u2018why\u2019 remains firm in showing others what is possible when we overcome our limiting beliefs.<\/em> Credit: Ben Wallbank<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step Three<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Make a Plan<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      This step is essential. Make no mistake \u2013 without a solid plan, your \u2018new year, new me\u2019 goals are likely to become a distant memory and another failed resolution!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      There are four key steps here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Define what you are going to do, and when you are going to do it.<\/strong> You may be able to do this yourself, or you may need to go find an expert to help you. Either way, you must have a plan.<\/li>
      2. Establish your resources.<\/strong> <\/em>People, places, and networks are all things that will support your plan. Don\u2019t underestimate reaching out for the resources you need. This will include the tangible stuff like the appropriate gear, and the intangible things like managing your mindset.<\/li>
      3. Implement the plan.<\/strong> Make it happen. Structure your days, weeks, and months to support your goals. Give yourself the greatest chance of success.<\/li>
      4. Continually assess.<\/strong> Use that handy-dandy assessment tool I mentioned above to assess how things are going daily, weekly, and monthly. This will keep you moving forward: