What If Tonight Was New Year’s Eve?
It’s one night of the year when thoughts of hope, positive change, and celebration are lingering in the air all around the World. On New Year’s Eve we get the opportunity to remember the year that was, pledge to make things better, and give toast to the year that will be.
We are still over four months away from ringing in 2013, but what if tonight was December 31st? Would you do things differently today…would your mind be consumed with different thoughts….would you sit down and make a list of all you wanted to accomplish in the coming year? I’ll bet you’d find something to celebrate.
There is a quote I heard once, and it’s kind of just stuck with me along the way:
So why wait for New Year’s to write out a list of resolutions or vow to make a change? The spirit of December 31st can be with you each and every day, and with an attitude like that….you can Make it Happen. You can Make ANYTHING Happen.
Cycling
This way of thinking can apply to all things in your life, including cycling. I have a friend who gets all excited to reset his bicycle computer to zero each New Year’s Eve. He gets to see how many miles and hours he put on the bike that year, and then wipes it clean and is ready to do it all over again the next year.
The start of a year (or riding season) is a fantastic time to set new riding goals and plan for the month’s ahead. With that said, about halfway through a year (or season) I often see riders lose focus of what they set out to do. I’m including myself in that list of riders.
To keep in check of your goals and to keep on moving forward, we need to continuously review and revise our goals so that we stay motivated and on track. Are you one of those riders who can’t wait to get out for that first ride of the year, and when you get out there you’re more fired up than ever. If tonight was New Year’s Eve, I’m sure you’d wake up tomorrow with that same spark and determination to ride with all you’ve got.
So let’s do it. Let’s keep on reminding ourselves that any night can be New Year’s, and each day can be a New Life. No need to sing “Auld Lang Syne”, but a definite need to Make it Happen.
It may sound corny or cliche, but that post is just what I needed. Sometimes you need that one extra thing to spark your inspiration, and this was one of those things for me. I’ve been in a riding rut for weeks…heck, months. I completed an early season goal and hit the wall after that. So thanks for the extra motivation. It got me thinking. Even better, it got me riding.
Not corny at all. The purpose of our Make it Happen Monday posts is to motivate myself as well as anyone else who needs it. It feels great knowing this helped you.
You’re taling about stepping up the game brother…and I am eatin’ all of this pie I can get. I think of goals as our individual waypoints, guiding us through life’s journey. Like any epic journey, adjustments are needed to maintain course and New Year’s resolutions fill this role nicely. My problem was, by the time I realized I was off-course, it was late enough in the year I’d throw in the towel and say, “All right, I better start working on a new flight plan for next year.” All this did was take me further off course and lead me to believe I’d never find my way back.
Like riding a bicycle dude, if something takes you off the path to where you are going, you don’t lolly-gag around wondering what to do next…you find the quickest way to get back on course. Applying this lesson to life and thinking about all the obstacles that come between us and our goals I learned never to underestimate what you can accomplish in a day. The view from over the handlebars doesn’t only provede you with a clear view of your surroundings, but it also gives you a clear view of your mind.
In the spirit of today’s completely awesome post, I am issuing a challenge…Take Action! What can you do today, right now that would get you closer to your goals? I laminated and velcro attached this Latin phrase, Nisi Nunc Quando (if not now, then when) and this quote by William B. Sprague, “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” to the inside of my bicycle helmet, reminding me to make the most of every day…
Enjoy the ride!
Nice comments, Joel….and great to see you offering up a challenge. I love it when I’m crystal clear on what I want and totally fired up to get it. That is when goals are always achieved….what I sometimes need help with is how to get myself in that ultimate goal achieving mindframe.
I like this one. I’m going to celebrate a new year tonight.
Nice one, JJ. Have a great celebration.
Thank you for this reminder as it’s been a while since I have set goals for myself. I tend to do this quite often but sometimes I get caught up and forget to renew them. I am a firm believing that goals should be ongoing and not done just on new years.
Yeah, I need reminders all the time. Keep on setting and achieving those goals.
that’s a great message babe, I think we all want to live like that. It’s a matter of just getting up and doing, which for lazy people like can be hard, LOL
Thanks Karen….and thanks for calling me babe. Nice.
I have been on track with my cycling goals this year for the first time in a long time. But I have been riding to work at least 3 times per week, and it feels great!
I am still living out my promise to myself to ride everyday in 2012. Into month number 8 and haven’t missed a day yet. As for 2013, So far this year, I also achieved both my metric and imperial centuries. My next goal, possibly in 2013 will be a metric double century.
That is one amazing goal, Mark. I know you’ll succeed and I know you’ll do the same with any other goals you set.