Give-up Goals & Go-up Goals

I remember training for my first and last marathon. I had started running to relieve stress in college and continued to enjoy the solitude and the runner’s high through most of my adult life.  At age 43, overweight and with bad knees, I set a goal to run and finish the Chicago Marathon.  

As with any big goal, I researched how to run a first marathon and began training. I added a couple of miles every week, bought new running shoes and socks, and learned about carbo-loading and blister management. I told myself daily, “I’m a marathoner . . . I am a marathoner.” Two weeks before the big day, while stumbling up my driveway, legs burning from my last long run of 20 miles before the big race, a close friend and neighbor told me, “You look like crap. I’ve seen you when I’m out driving, and you look like crap. You’re not really built like a runner. You’ll never finish a marathon.” 

I was shattered. I nodded in agreement, drained of hope, embarrassed, and disheartened. I sat on my front steps, gathering the strength to walk to the couch. I remembered what I had learned from the author Zig Ziglar: share “give-up” goals freely and “go-up” goals carefully. If you stop doing something it’s a “give up” goal and improvements are “go up” goals. I smiled and thought, silly me . . . finishing a marathon is a “go-up” goal. 

So when you find yourself thinking, “You know, I’m going to give up chocolate . . . or sugar . . . or TV,” tell everyone, because misery loves company. You will get plenty of support on your journey to achieve your give-up goals. 

However, your “go-up goals”—I’m going back to get my degree . . . I’m going to start my side hustle . . . I’m going to be a sales manager—you should confide only to your cheerleaders. Tell family and friends who want to see you succeed in life and will be there to celebrate with you. 

Standing on the finishers’ platform with my marathon medal was terrific. Remember that growth begins with a vision and goals. Set goals and share them wisely.

Here’s to selling Mastery. 

-Cherilynn

Head of Education and Growth, Sistas In Sales

Executive Coach/Managing Partner, CGI

Cherilynn Castleman, Executive Coach/Sales Trainer, has been a sales executive for 20+ years. With a natural talent for teaching and a drive to sell, Cherilynn uses her skills to coach and train other executives and sales professionals.

“One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.”- Michelle Obama