Chapter 3.5: Transcending Boundaries: The Thrill of Pursuing Intimidating Goals

0:02Get big, hairy, audacious goal Now. If you aren't ready to make this commitment to yourself, stop listening to them. But if you are, listen on, friend. We all need goals. I don't believe they define who we are, but they certainly say a lot about our character. Do you fumble through life and its challenges or do you take control of your opportunities and set your sights on things outside of your grasp? I believe you to be the latter.

0:28It's that one thing you've always wanted to do. You know that one thing that you always tell yourself one day, I'm going to go do that. And what's holding you back from going for it? It's time to get going. I urge my clients to get a bag BHAG, which stands for big, hairy, audacious goal. This is a term popularized by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in their bestselling book Still to Last Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.

1:01They describe a bag as a huge and powerful vision that an entire organization can rally around. I believe bags aren't just for companies, but for individuals too. That's why I urge my clients to set their sights on a huge challenge at least three to six months up. Committing yourself to this kind of goal can work as your why in the short term. Doing this is awesome for a number of reasons. Number one practicality. It keeps you focused on the daily habits you need to adopt and the steps you need to take to make sure you arrive at your destination.

1:34Number two accountability. Declaring your commitment is great for helping you stick to it. And number three discipline. In challenging situations, we have two choices Either give up or push through and conquer. You like to win. I know you do. It's part of being human. Over the years, I've used the following bags to help my clients challenge themselves. Here's my list of five big, hairy, audacious goals you want to own?

2:05Number one my first 5K. Now, I'm not a huge fan of running Heck, my nickname is Moose because I run like one but I do get out for a few runs each year. Color runs are a great place to start. Why not check one out? How about a 5K mud run? Number two take the fun of a 5K to a team obstacle course and the mud Mud runs have become widely popular. A great example is the Spartan Race. Just check out Spartancom. You might also want to check out my blog, diamondwellcom, for some cool videos and articles on mud runs to see if this is something to put your fitness goal list this year.

2:39Do it on your own or, better yet, recruit a few friends and get after it together. Number three a mini-traff one. Hey, I'm not saying you should register for an iron, but I know if you were to commit to participating in a mini-try six months out, you'd be ready by race day. It consists of a 750 meter, so that's a half mile swim, 20k, 12 mile bike ride, as well as a 5K or 3.1 mile run. Now, don't be intimidated, it will be over before you know it, and six months is plenty of time to prep for this type of event, no matter your fitness level.

3:15Number four a great cause. What better motivation than to commit to a fitness event for charity? I've been involved with the Grind for Kids charity for four years actually going on five, almost six soon which gets my team hiking the Grouse Grind, and this is a 2.9 kilometer trail straight up Grouse Mountain in my home city of Vancouver, and we do this all summer. During the summer season, the event raises money for the British Columbia Chinlun's hospital Awesomeness.

3:43What local charities can you support by participating in a fitness event? Maybe you could make a fitness event around a charity that you love and work with them to create something really cool. Check one out. You know, literally commit and feel even more awesome for getting healthy and fit. And number five, and this one's close to my heart Tough Mudder. This one is near and dear. Tough Mudder is a challenging 18 to 20 kilometer, so that's about 10 to 12 miles.

4:11Four obstacle course designed to test mental strength and physical grit. Having the opportunity to lead a team our team was called I Want my Mudder. Over the last few years, I can honestly say that it's a life changing event. No teammate is ever left behind. So don't wait. What's your big, hairy, audacious fitness goal going to be?