Bring on the weekend
Well. Monday I did a stupid and didn’t realize until the next morning that I had only walked four miles. So that’s a four-mile day. But on Tuesday I walked all over downtown-sort of trying to break up my routine-for a total of about 6.8 miles, and yesterday I did 5.5. I’ve done three today and will probably do another three on the way home.
Roxy sent me an interesting article today called How to Overcome Apathy (If You Can Be Bothered…), not because I’m apathetic-though I certainly have my moments-but because it has this to say about goals:
The time spent working on a goal isn’t wasted, even if you never reach the goal. This is because the whole point of setting a goal is to connect you with what you desire. Actually finishing the marathon, earning a million dollars or starting your own business are less important.
I have goals that aren’t finished today. I might achieve them in the future. I might not. That doesn’t matter. What really matters is that my goals fill me with enthusiasm right now. Even if I never reach the end, thinking about my goals makes me enthusiastic about life. That’s the point.
So, if you give up on a goal midway, that isn’t a failure. The goal still served it’s purpose. It made you enthusiastic at one time. When it can’t do that anymore, you’re probably better off finding a better goal.
Another friend told me much the same thing the other day, even citing the sunk cost fallacy as the article does. I already know most of this on some level, but being reminded of it is particularly reassuring.
The rest of the article is worth a read, especially if you’re feeling apathetic today.
Originally published at Jordan, Walking. Please leave any comments there.