Some people have asked me "Why #GoTheDist"?
Well I love competition -- but how do you level the playing field when each participant is at a different performance level, or even has a different form of exercise that they love?
That was the guiding question that led me to think about #GoTheDist. The answer was that we can "compete" against each other only when we're measuring ourselves against our own self. If each and every person can set a goal that represents not only what they think they can do, but more than they think they can do (maybe 10% above what they think they can do), then it becomes a competition about how well we can achieve the goals we set for ourselves. For example, if someone says they're going to bike 1000 miles, they can compare themselves to someone who commits to running 500 miles. The effort required might not be the same, but the consistency and drive is the same. #GoTheDist is about measuring PERCENTAGE OF GOAL ACHIEVED, not just miles or pounds.
With that in mind, I once again renew my commitment to #GoTheDist in 2013.
1. Click on the SUMMARY PAGE (bookmarking it would be a good idea as you will be using it often).
2. Fill out the next available line on the "Summary" spreadsheet. You are responsible for filling out your biographical information (columns A–D), your tracking modality and goal (columns E and F), your quarterly goals (columns G, J, M, and P), and your half-year and full-year rewards (columns T and V).
3. **CREATE YOUR INDIVIDUAL PAGE** (The information you have entered in step 2 should auto-complete to an individual page. Check your line number and then look at the bottom of the page. Match up your line number and double check that your information is correct).
4. Rename the tab "@[twitter name]" or if you don't have Twitter "[nickname]"
5. Fill out the sheet as you wish. See step #8.
6. Update your own individual page as needed (if tracking is too hard, consider printing out your page and filling it out by hand and updating it online once a week). The total mileage will automatically be updated on the Summary tab as you report on your individual page.
7. Follow #GoTheDist on Twitter for support if you need it or to support others when they do, to announce achievements, and find new/old friends!
8. PLEASE DO NOT DELETE LINES OR TABS! Do not SORT. If you want to add columns, please add them to the RIGHT of the page. Please do NOT move your page around! You CAN bookmark your individual page using your browser to find it easily.
At the end of each month (or year) consider answering these questions:
- How do you think you did over the course of the month?
- Did you overestimate or underestimate your capabilities? Why is this? Is this representative of a larger trend in your life?
- Did you learn anything about yourself while doing this?
- Can you apply what you've learned in #GoTheDist somewhere else in your life?
- Did you make any new friends through #GoTheDist -- were you able to support each other?
- What was the hardest part of the challenge? (physical? mental/psychological?)
- What do you think you did really well this month? (doesn't have to be about #GoTheDist)
- What do you think you could improve on? (again, doesn't have to be about #GoTheDist)
- No matter the numbers you already entered, are you going to finish strong, or taper off?
- Did you go the distance? And no, I don't mean did you hit 100% of your goal... did you put yourself out there and really try for it? Is 80% still something you can be proud of?
17 comments
Hey Darling, Maybe I'm just having a brain fart but I wasn't able to put my info on the summary page, though I did create my own page :) help?
ReplyEeep! Sorry hon -- I unlocked the summary spreadsheet!
ReplyHello Robby,
ReplyThe MeFirst Page list sends to me to website that does not exist. It sends me to this http://www.thememovement.com/
Thank you for that catch!! I've deleted references to it. It was the brainchild of my dietitian, Rebecca Scritchfield.
Replyyay! i'm in :)
ReplyHere's to 2013!! :D
Reply11 hours and 10 minutes to go for Coming New Year 2013..... i am so excited and happy... what about you.??
Replyhttp://garciniacambogiaextractsite.com/
I think I'm in ... although my goal for January is being decided by the kindness (?) of others on my blog and the deadline is at the end of the 1st ... and hopefully I'll remember (or someone will kindly bug me on Twitter) to come fill stuff out.
ReplyI have joined for the first time! I'm excited!
ReplyOne of us! One of us!
ReplyI'm in! I still can't believe I met my goal for this year. I didn't see the physical changes I was hoping for, but I kept going out there and getting the miles in. This year, I am going to focus heavily on another column in the spreadsheet---STRENGTH TRAINING. I plan to run/walk every other day and strength train on the alternate days.
ReplyKLJ -- I'm super stoked that you're going to join up again! You really rocked it in 2012!
Replystrength training is very important, as is fexibility!
Let's do this thing!!! Thanks for hosting again Robby. This is great motivation! :)
ReplyI'm in, too. I love a good spreadsheet. :)
ReplyDefinitely looking forward to participating. :)
ReplySpreadsheets are sexy.... i will never begrudge anyone that.
ReplyHappy to participate. Injured hamstring in half marathon last fall and lack of activity combined with poor eating habits led to 20 lb weight gain. Thanks for sharing this.
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<3 Robby