Rarely do I set personal goals for myself. I’ve always been so wrapped up in my professional goals that I’ve just skipped it. As I’m writing this I’m reminded of a post that I wrote for All-Offroad in 1999. Wow, was that really 14 years ago? Anyway, I wrote about my first experience setting a personal goal and how rewarding it was. Well, that was followed up with years of injuries, health issues, general laziness and disappointment, and unemployment which all resulted in me blowing off personal goals entirely.
It seems these days almost everyone has a bucket list, even my 15 year-old daughter has one. I don’t, in fact I basically feel like I’ve done everything I want to do, that is within my grasp. The stuff that remains requires more money than I will see in my lifetime and/or a time machine. Making this realization, just reaffirmed that personal goals would be a waste of time for me.
The other problem with having a goal is that there needs to be a reward, such as a bonus or simply not losing your job. So again, no bucket list and no financial means to really give myself anything I really want. And honestly, if I REALLY want something, I will find a way to get it, no goal necessary. So what’s the point? Yeah, I will admit it. I’m a bit materialistic in this attitude. I recognize that but, for now until I grow up some more, it is what it is.
So where does that leave me? It turns out that there is something I want and I have wanted it for a long time. However, I have not wanted it bad enough that I would go after it all costs. In fact, I’m a little afraid of getting it. What is it, you ask? It is a tattoo on my right shoulder. I’ve even had the design picked out for a couple years. One of the problems is that I am not at all fond of needles, the other is that I have not found an artist that I trust enough.
How does this all come together? Well, a couple years ago a made a deal with myself that if I got down to 200 lbs. I would get my tattoo. When I did this, I actually had no intention of actually losing weight. It was a bit of am empty promise. Now that I’ve started on this endeavor, that promise is starting to feel real. I’m actually getting excited about getting the tattoo. On top of that, I’m also pretty obsessive. When I have a goal, I cannot allow myself to not reach that goal.
Many people are aware of S.M.A.R.T. goals. These are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (some use Time Bound). I’m a firm believer in SMART goals and my goal of getting down to 200 lbs. meets all of those criteria. With the exception of the Time component. I honestly haven’t figured that part out, but I will.
So there it is, I have a real goal and a real reward. It’s a bit exciting and scary. It’s going to be a tough goal to reach. In total I will need to lose 65 lbs. It almost seems impossible, but I’m almost a third of the way there. I’m also committed to following through.
I have a few other mini-goals that I’m throwing around, like getting off my meds, keeping my blood pressure in check, and not being embarrassed to be seen without my shirt on. I’d also really like to be able to ride my dirt bike again, though I can’t decide if that is a goal or a reward. We’ll see how these play into the scheme of things…
I'm on a lifelong quest to find the perfect balance between strawberry smoothies and pizza slices. A self-proclaimed gym enthusiast who believes rest days are just as crucial as leg days—especially if they involve NASCAR racing. I lift weights, but only so I can justify my love for chocolate cake. When I'm not at the gym, you’ll find me riding dirt bikes or capturing the thrill of motorsport through my camera lens. Join me as I navigate the highs and lows of fitness, where progress is measured in reps, and cheat meals are a form of self-care.
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