The Unacknowledged Agenda Behind Our Goals

A Three Minute Read

Over the past couple years, I’ve often pondered the concept of “personal goals,” and their place in my life, and in those near and dear to me. We’ve all chased them and I trust you’ve seen some of the better ones through.

For me, an unmet goal has been to roll over the threshold that stands between a “recreational cyclist” and a “serious cyclist.” Neither of these are an actual quantifiable thing but that doesn’t mean my head hasn’t latched onto them. Like barnacles on an abandoned ship, I keep carrying around the goal - to pedal an old-fashioned bike a hundred miles in one day.

Literally thousands of people do it every year, so it couldn’t be that big a deal. It does take lots of training, especially since older muscles tend to whine considerably and even rebel when pushed unnaturally.

But why is it important to me? I don’t know.

Maybe it’s related to the fact that I was anything but athletic into my early twenties. I clearly admire the agility and strength of top-end athletes, but it’s rarely the focus of my attention. Could it be that I’m hoping to somehow claim an inkling of athleticism? I suspect it’s bigger than that.

Our goals may consume us, but do they improve us?

I was only four miles into a fifty miler a few days ago, when I noticed the sun breaking its way through some fog over a grove of trees. I felt compelled to stop and breathe it in, regardless of it being contrary to my training “schedule.” My thoughts were racing in sync with my heart as I questioned - how many beautiful sights like this have I missed because of any particular day’s agenda?

It was a short leap from there to seriously questioning my priorities in general, but also a relatively unimportant “century ride.”

With every goal or aspiration we lean into, there are opportunity costs that never quite make it into our calculations. As unique individuals, there are so many types of meaningful things that we miss while racing from accomplishment to accomplishment. Goals can unfortunately cloud our vision as we look toward things that really matter - including relationships.

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Understanding all of the above, this silly benchmark keeps nagging at me anyway. I’m neither a psychologist nor an actor who’s played one on TV, but I suspect that this goal has deeper roots than I recognize.

There’s a lot of time to think on longer rides and maybe my soul needs just that. I’ve had a recurring thought recently. Once we’re on a given track, it sure is hard to get off. Like a rabbit running down a railroad track, there’s just no off ramp. Regardless of personal inconsistencies and the draw of common sense, momentum all too often, wins the day.

If I can’t understand how this works within me, how can I pretend to understand how it works in someone I’ve never met?

How about your goals? Are there any that surprise you?

“Tread carefully through life - Metaphors are everywhere”