Motivation is far higher when you have a target to aim at

I know, I know – when the phrase “business plan” is mentioned most of us groan internally.  But having a plan really, really does keep your motivation up high.

Some of you may know I like to run to keep fit, but I was starting to lose focus before the summer holidays.  My husband suggested (oh, foolish him!) that I join him on London’s Run to the Beat this October. 

“A half marathon”, I thought.  “Perfect goal to go for.”

Well, it’s only 3 weeks away and I have my running plan laid out & written in my diary.

I had a run scheduled this afternoon at 1.30pm.  At 1pm today, I didn’t feel like it. I wanted another cup of tea & chocolate hobnob.

But I knew if I didn’t run this afternoon, my next chance of a big run wasn’t until Monday and then I would be behind schedule. So on went the running shoes & I ended up having a great run (albeit a dash back through a torrential hail storm in the last 10 minutes!!).

So my point is this – without my half-marathon commitment I would have probably not run today.  Without my plan, my big picture, my focus – I wouldn't have achieved what I achieved this afternoon.

What plan, big picture, focus can you create to help motivate you to move forward?