Strand Yourself

It came to me while I was jogging. I went for a run and decided on a new route, with no idea when I would turn around or head back home. As I headed down the desert canal lined by farmland, milestones appeared in front of me. Each milestone begged me to keep going. I saw a street in the distance cutting across the canal. I decided my goal was to make it there without stopping. By the time I reached the street, I was too far to turn around. I might as well turn left and make a big loop. There in the distance was new corner, this time leading back. I struggled, but made it around that corner towards home. When I finally finished my run, my improvised path had taken me twice the distance of my normal route.

Each of those early milestones stranded me further and further from home. At the start of my run it was easy. I felt great. But by the time I realized I was too tired, it didn’t make sense to turn around. I had to finish the loop. My competitive spirit kicked in and forced me to accomplish something I hadn’t envisioned when I headed out.

Strand yourself.

Put yourself on an island that forces you to figure out how to get off.

We all have those goals that nag at us in the distance. They’re exciting to start and hell to finish. The thought of a goal from start to finish is often too overwhelming to comprehend. Lose 100 pounds? Impossible! Launch a business? Where do I start? Run 10 miles? That’s too far. We all know the importance of setting small goals, but what if those small goals also stranded you? What if they forced you to either succeed or walk home defeated? When you strand yourself, you’re daring your pride to help you succeed.

Here are a couple examples that illustrate the concept of "stranding yourself." These goals may not be yours, but it will get you thinking about your own:

Situation: You have a half-written book that you’re struggling to finish.

Strand Yourself: Create a pre-order that people can purchase NOW.

Result: Finish the book and ship or be forced to refund money and upset customers.

Situation: You want to learn a new language?

Strand Yourself: Book a trip to a remote part of the country where the language is spoken.

Result: Learn it or struggle mightily on the trip.

Small milestones are key to accomplishing your goals. But try putting yourself in a situation where you MUST deliver or be faced with consequences. You may find yourself accomplishing more than you ever have before.

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