I was watching the New York City marathon last weekend and seeing runners cross the finish line - it took me back to 2010 when I took to the streets of NYC to run the marathon with only one goal in mind - to get to see all 5 boroughs and to simply finish the race. It was that simple, It didn’t have to be pretty, it was just committed to finishing.

When I think of how I set that goal, it’s actually funny because the idea popped up during a happy hour amongst a few of my coworkers while I was visiting our NY office and of the three of us who said “let’s DO it!” I was the only one who actually signed up.

Setting the goal of running a marathon had never even crossed my mind before that fateful evening it was brought up in conversation with a few friends - but once I committed, I knew it was something I had to do. This was my BIG goal. 

It was a huge stretch both physically and mentally. I was not a runner. I had never run a 5k let alone a marathon so yes - it was a really big deal but for whatever reason, once the seed was planted - it just took on a life of its own.

I look back on it now and know it was so much more than a race for me. I learned so much about myself through that experience and I will say it was one of the most pivotal events in my life.  

So what does it take to set those bigger goals in life - ones that have the power to fundamentally change how we view ourselves - and how do we stay on course enough to successfully achieve them.

When I look back at my own experience, I think there are three things that are needed to successfully achieve any goal but especially ones that are going to take a deeper level of commitment to make them happen.

These are Clarity, Motivation and Mindset. 

The first step is Clarity - when you set out to do anything in life, you need to know your *why*. The reason for achieving the goal in the first place. This to me is the driving force behind success. 

Will achieving this help enhance your life in a meaningful way or maybe shift your perspective about yourself? It might make a significant impact on others or provide you with the strength to take on even more challenging goals moving forward?

Your why is what you hold dear to your heart and is the fuel that burns within you to stick with it and get it done. 

Goals that are linked to a deeper purpose are more fulfilling and powerful. When you understand why a goal matters to you, it becomes easier to stay committed through challenges.

Sometimes your why can start out as one thing and end up another. In my situation, I signed up for a physical challenge and although it was great to prove to myself that I could do it, the internal shift it created in me just in how I viewed what I was capable of - is mind blowing. 

It’s also no accident that I finally got sober a year later and I know it had a big part to play in gaining the courage to take that leap.

The next is Motivation. I know getting motivated to run the marathon definitely took believing in my ability to train and although my level of confidence may have been low in the beginning, I knew I had challenged myself physically in the past and been ok.

So, although I may not have believed I was prepared, there was a certain level of competence I felt I had - to simply stick it through and get past the finish line. Regardless of how long it took.

SO when you think about getting motivated. Motivation can either be intrinsic (driven by personal satisfaction and internal rewards) or extrinsic (fueled by external incentives like money, recognition or approval). 

Interestingly enough, goals that resonate deeply with your values tend to activate intrinsic motivation, making you more committed and persistent.

The last is Mindset. I remember our motto to finish that day was to “beat the sweep”. The marathon was closing at 8pm and we just needed to make it to the finish line before they closed up shop! 

I simply told myself that I was going to be running (or walking) all day. I had done that before, I gone on backpacking trips in Alaska and Yosemite - and understood what a full day of strenuous physical activity felt like. So the moment I framed it that way - it shifted my mindset to that of success - no matter what. It also brought a lightheartedness to it all - and made everything about it feel just a bit less daunting. 

Being able to pull from past experiences to find evidence of success is always helpful in building your confidence to keep going.

Another interesting thing is that your brain actually releases dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, when you set and pursue goals. This creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, which can more easily enhance your focus and effort.

Envisioning the successful achievement of a goal ALSO engages the brain the same way it would - if you were actually experiencing it. It literally primes the brain to be more prepared for real action. Olympic athletes often use visualization techniques to mentally practice winning or perfecting their skills.I find this so amazing because it shows how shifting your mindset to an expectation of success can actually trigger it to happen.

The last thing I will say about mindset is - keeping yourself in a state of adaptability and resilience can literally make or break the outcome. Remaining open to it unfolding in whatever way it may and flexing to the shifts that are bound to happen along the way are key to success. 

So once you have Clarity, Motivation and Mindset having support is the last component that will help you stay on track.

You can get support from your social circle. Reach out to friends, family, or trusted colleagues. There is nothing like being surrounded by those who love you to help support you along the way. When doing so, be clear about what you need, whether it's guidance, support or inspiration.

Emotional support from those who care about you can reduce feelings of isolation and stress, making it easier to reach your goal.

You can also connect with a therapist, counselor, or coach who specializes in managing transitions. If it’s a physical challenge or goal, seeking support from a trainer is priceless to keep you motivated and ready for success.

Look for professionals with expertise in the area of change you’re experiencing.

It’s also good to look to Support Groups or Community for support along the way. You can use platforms like Meetup, social media, or community boards to locate relevant groups to support you.

Being part of a group that shares similar experiences can offer practical advice, empathy, and the realization that you’re not alone in your journey.

These approaches can create a multi-layered support system that help you stay grounded and empowered to reach any goal.

With all this said, when you are thinking about that BIG goal - give yourself the benefit of the doubt. We so often underestimate what we can accomplish and in many cases, you will never know your true capabilities until you take those steps toward something that matters and in the process just may change your life.