I returned to running a few months ago after a long hiatus. And I think I’ve shown great restraint not talking endlessly about it here ( I’m simply insufferable lately in real life to anyone who knows me. I can’t stop talking about it.) I absolutely love running, and have since I was young. So just getting back out there on the track should be mission accomplished – I’m looking after my health and doing something I enjoy- Right?
You see, goal setting can be a slippery slope. At first, I told myself just getting back on the track was enough of a goal. What did I have to prove at my age? Then I set myself a mile time. That keeps changing. Then a 5K time – that keeps changing. I’ve now signed up for a 10K in 3 weeks. And the other day as I was running happily in circles in the dark, pouring rain…I found myself considering a marathon again (even though I had sworn never again…)
But why? I don’t have anything to prove. Am I falling into the habit so many of us have of needing to accomplish the next goal just because it’s there – an unreachable finish line?
I was thinking of this in clinic today as I was setting health goals with patients. It’s great when patients set small, realistic, and specific goals. Even better when these are accomplished, and patients have more confidence to set the next small, realistic, specific, obtainable goal.
However, there can become a slippery slope when goals are never met because they ever changing, or are, unfortunately, unobtainable.
I think too many people – often women – set goals for themselves in careers, beauty, motherhood, health – that are too fluid. Ever-changing. And that self-imposed pressure – to do more, to do it better – can be a lot. Social media is increasingly a driving force behind many unrealistic goals, often created by influencers and highly edited or misleading content.
There is very little more valuable than our health: mental health, physical health. Goals to look after it are essential to safe-guard our future. But once you’re looking after your health – what else do you have to prove?
Actually, when it comes to anything in your life: what else do you have to prove?
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