Falling Short (Part 1)

Last year I had the astonishing experience of winning the Triathlon Cup series at the Wichita YMCA.  The Triathlon Cup consisted of seven indoor sprint triathlons followed by a championship indoor-outdoor triathlon.  Earning points for each 1st, 2nd, or 3rd placement in my age group and competing in every race pushed me to the top of the rankings.

Knowing I could never repeat that performance, I vowed to set a different goal this year.  I planned to take a group training course at the Y to learn how to compete in an outdoor triathlon.
I ran into the triathlon coach in the bathroom at the WSU basketball  game and picked her brain on the details.  The training schedule would be a challenge as it conflicted with my typical work routine.  I responded by setting a business goal that if I achieved would allow me to participate in the triathlon group.

Although I did employ my best strategies, three weeks shy of the beginning of the group my business results fell short of my goal.  I could still make it, but at this point it looks unlikely.
And I feel bummed—even discouraged, with some self-doubt creeping in.

It resonates with what I see with a number of my coaching clients.  People typically don’t fall short when they are not setting big goasl.  And we when fall short, discouragement often creeps in.  And when discouragement takes hold, Satan has us just where he wants us:  licking our wounds and spanking ourselves for ever dreaming big.
Learn how to put discouragement and “Vice”, as our family affectionately calls him, in his place in my next blog.

The Catholic Women’s Guide to Healthy Relationships Tip:  When did you last feel discouraged? Consider that, if you can’t recall when, you might not be dreaming big enough.