“I set a goal once to climb a specific grade. People laughed. I set a time limit. Again people laughed. I achieved this goal in half the time”
We all have things to do. For some of us these are self-motivated goals meet so and so, go and do such and such. Other goals are led by society jobs, houses, kids and so on. Do you have a list of goals? We all do really, even if it is to mow the lawn, watch a specific film or speak to a family friend. The goal defines the start and end, from conception to conclusion. Some are short termers and some will be with us for life. Even those who appear to drift have goals (trust me). Goals can take many forms to travel, to meet, to explore or simply to write a new blog post.
I am open about many of my goals but closed about some. Maybe through fear of reaction I keep some to myself. I set a goal once to climb a specific grade. People laughed. I set a time limit. Again people laughed. I achieved this goal in half the time. That achievement is now a small portion of what defines me and my life.
Many climbers have grade based goals. These are wonderful to have as part of your list. But think of others. How good is your footwork? Can you mantle? If you want to improve at any of these things set goals. Choose a route that requires improved footwork and strive to do it. Go to Castle Hill and climb 20 problems at any grade with the word mantle in the guidebook description. Whatever it is think of a way to use goals to mark the way, even if it only is as you look back.
Set them, drive towards them. Goals can define us, even if we don’t achieve them. That is the beauty. Having a set of goals means there is never a wasted moment. Each moment of life can be live with energy. Set some. Climb at a crag, climb a route, hang for longer on a tiny edge or simply mow the lawn. Set it, write it down, tell someone and push on towards it. Most importantly revisit and review, tick them off as you go. Set more, it is addictive when you feel the progress. Time will come to claim you and it will have its way. What will define your time?
This post originally appeared on my Joe Ward Rock Climbing Blog in 29th April 2014