Make it Happen Monday: Get S.T.O.K.E.D for 2012

26
Dec
2011

It’s that time of year where a lot of people are creating New Year’s Resolutions and gearing up for the best year ever.  Setting goals is a fantastic idea, and something that really should be done throughout the year.  In honor of making 2012 a kick butt rocking year for you on and off the bike, we’re reposting this article on getting S.T.O.K.E.D for your goals that we put up last February.

You’ve all likely heard how goals are supposed to be SMART, right?  Yeah, it’s a cute little acronym that tells you to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable,Realistic, and Timely in the goals that you set for yourself.  Good advice, but sometimes being smart is not enough.  We’re cyclists…..and to reach our lofty goals, you need to be STOKED:

Specific – Create a goal that contains as much detail as possible.  Know exactly what it is that you’re after…see it…believe….taste it.

Tangible – The definition of tangible is “something material or concrete”.  For our purposes we use the word tangible to mean a goal that is believable.  If you said that your goal was to win the Tour de France while riding a unicycle…that wouldn’t be too tangible now would it?

Optimistic – When you create a goal that is just out of your reach, you need to completely believe in yourself and know 100% that you are capable of achieving it.  Be positive and optimistic, and “don’t let any weeds grow in the garden of your mind”.

Kind – Kindness is a good thing in any situation, but when it comes to goal setting you need to be kind to yourself and let it happen.  Don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t happen right away, or if it takes a few more tries than you were planning on.  Be kind to yourself and keep at it.

Educated – Sometimes you need to educate yourself in order to create a goal, and to achieve it.  Knowledge is Power…..so be sure to know all the facts and what ingredients are required to make it happen.

Determined – You’ve heard of people achieving things through pure will and determination, right?  It’s true, determination is a major factor in reaching your end goal.  Set your mind to it and don’t let anything or anyone stop you.

Whatever acronym you use, the biggest thing is to simply set some goals for yourself and your cycling.  I read a motivational poster a long time ago that spoke about goals, and the message has stayed with me ever since:

The world has a habit of making room for those who know where they’re going

You know, they also say that writing them down and telling other people about them is a great way to make goals happen.  Feel free to post your cycling goals in the comments section below….and you’ll instantly have a whole bunch of people keeping you accountable and helping you make it happen.

All the best in 2012…Enjoy Your Ride.

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4 Responses to “ Make it Happen Monday: Get S.T.O.K.E.D for 2012 ”

  1. Joel Phillips on December 27, 2011 at 11:58 am

    My goals for 2012 are to make the most out of the gifts I have been given…not only by striving to be the best I’ve ever been, (physically, mentally and spiritually), but to take the time and enjoy all that is around me.  This means continuing to train for riding over 400-miles through the Rocky Mountains in June, taking Reasons2Ride to the next level (now that I have a better understanding of the role it will play in changing the way people think about bicycling and the battle against obesity) and at the end of each day take the time to sit with my wife and dog to watch the sun set over the mountains.  I expect to stumble some more along the way, I don’t think I’ve challenged myself enough if I don’t, but reaching for something beyond what we think we cant grasp is how we grow and that’s making the most of the gifts we’ve been given.

    Here’s to making 2012 your best year ever…..Cheers and Happy Riding…

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on December 27, 2011 at 3:02 pm

      Great goals, Joel and as always you have awesome focus and know what is most important in life.  As for stumbling along the way…that made me think of something a wise friend told me long ago.  “Even if you fall flat on your face, when you get up…you’re still much farther ahead than when you started out”.  Happy 2012 to you and your Family.

  2. Marty on December 26, 2011 at 5:10 am

    I am sooooooooo S.T.O.K.E.D for 2012!!!

    • Darryl is Loving the Bike on December 26, 2011 at 10:24 am

      Great to hear it, Marty.  I hope to see you in early 2012….Happy New Year.

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