Running with an end in mind

I have heard this at many stages in life that I need to have an end goal to work towards in order to be successful at what I am doing. My first race at school, my first essay, my first dance performance - look at the finish line, think of the big picture message, ensure you cover the stage - are all examples of when I was told to visualize the end. I have never seen it work quite as well as it did with my running. I started off running and looking at my feet, but the minute I started to look at the tree that I wanted to reach or the bench that I wanted to pass, and focus on that instead of my feet, things changed dramatically. I am still just as tired and in pain when I am done running, but the feeling of accomplishment when you cross that goal that you set for yourself, dulls the pain. Keeping the end goal in mind helps you push yourself through those last steps that might not have happened.

Last year, the end goal seemed to be making it through the first year alive and sane (alive - yes, sane - questionable). Last year it was also about getting that killer internship - and I took a risk and ventured into unknown terrain, that has turned out to be a great learning adventure so far. This year it seems to be about getting that ideal job (that statistics say I will leave in about two years after graduation anyway) and while the end goal pushes you through to the finish line, I wouldn't want it to make me miss out on the actual journey.

Bottom Line: Finish lines are good - the more you look at them, the closer they get.