The cost of achieving your goals

(& 10 questions to avoid the post-goal slump)

Author

Eric Hinman
August 23, 2024

read time: 5 minutes 

Welcome to The Movement Memo, a bi-weekly newsletter where I share actionable tips to help you live your best day ever, every day.

Today's Programming 

Today's Movement 

Complete as a 40-minute EMOM:

  • 15 Cal Row

  • 12 GHD Situps

  • 10 burpee box jump overs

  • 50 Double Unders

What do you do after you achieve you’re goal?

Today's Quote

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

— Nelson Mandela

There is always another hill to climb.

There is always more work to be done.

There is always another goal you can set.

The question you need to answer: am I heading in the right direction?

Today's Lesson Learned

There’s a moment after you’ve crossed the finish line, after the adrenaline fades and the cheers quiet down, where you’re left alone with the weight of what you’ve accomplished. 

You’ve just dedicated months (if not years) of your life towards one goal and have just achieved something monumental—something you’ve poured your heart, soul, and countless hours into. 

There is a brief feeling of triumph when you cross the finish line and every neuron in your body fires at once. The sense of accomplishment endures for a few more days, or weeks if you’re lucky.

But eventually, you are left feeling empty and uncertain. And start thinking: what’s next?

This is the weight of gold. The thing no one tells you about success is that it often leaves you with more questions than answers. When you’ve spent so long chasing a big goal, your life has been defined by it. Every decision, every action, every waking thought has been geared toward that one singular objective. But now that you’ve reached it—or maybe even failed to—the landscape ahead is wide open, and that can be terrifying.

Do you push on to the next challenge? Do you take a moment to savor your victory? Or do you feel an unsettling emptiness, wondering what the point of it all was? These are the questions that linger in the quiet aftermath of success or failure. They’re the ones that keep you up at night, gnawing at the edges of your mind, demanding answers.

The truth is, that achieving big goals—or failing to achieve them—forces you to confront the deepest parts of yourself. It’s in these moments that you need to make some of the most significant decisions of your life. 

But how do you know what’s right when everything feels so uncertain? 

How do you find clarity when your world has been turned upside down by the very thing you’ve been striving for?

I came up with these questions as I battled with this same uncertainty. It’s about making sense of the aftermath, finding direction when the path ahead is unclear, and making the kind of decisions that will shape the next chapter of your life.

10 Questions to Consider After Completing (or Failing at) a Big Goal

1. What did I learn about myself throughout this journey?

  • Reflect on the ways you’ve grown, the strengths you’ve uncovered, and the weaknesses you’ve confronted. 

  • What has this experience taught you about who you are?

2. Was the goal I pursued truly aligned with my core values and passions?

  • Consider whether the goal was something that genuinely mattered to you or if it was driven by external pressures or expectations.

3. How do I feel now that the goal is behind me?

  • Take a moment to check in with your emotions. 

  • Are you feeling fulfilled, empty, relieved, or anxious? 

  • Your feelings can provide valuable insights into what you need next.

4. What sacrifices did I make to achieve this goal, and were they worth it?

  • Reflect on what you gave up—time, relationships, health—and whether the outcome justifies those sacrifices.

5. What unexpected outcomes arose from this journey?

  • Success and failure often bring surprises. 

  • What new opportunities, relationships, or insights have come into your life because of this goal?

6. How has this experience changed my perspective on success and failure?

  • Consider how your definition of success or failure has evolved. What does it mean to you now?

7. What aspects of this journey did I find most fulfilling?

  • Identify the moments or elements that brought you the most joy or satisfaction, and think about how you can incorporate more of that into your life moving forward.

8. Am I ready to take on another big challenge, or do I need time to reflect and recharge?

  • Gauge your readiness for the next phase. Sometimes the best decision is to take a step back and breathe.

9. What new goals or aspirations have emerged from this experience?

  • Consider what’s next. What new dreams have been sparked by this journey, and how do they align with your evolving sense of self?

10. How can I use this experience to help others or make a positive impact?

  • Think about how you can share what you’ve learned or contribute to the well-being of others.

  • Your journey can be a source of inspiration and guidance.

The Importance of an Off-Season

After a major achievement, it’s tempting to jump straight into the next challenge. 

But just as athletes need an off-season to recover and rebuild, so do you. The off-season isn’t just about rest—it’s about reflection, recalibration, and preparation. It’s a time to process what you’ve been through, to let your mind and body heal, and to set the stage for whatever comes next.

In the off-season, you’re not pushing for new heights; you’re nurturing your foundation. 

This is when you have the space to ask those deep, difficult questions and to listen to the answers that surface. It’s a period of intentional pause, where you can realign with your true purpose, refocus your energies, and reignite your passion. Without this crucial downtime, you risk burning out, losing sight of what really matters, or worse, chasing goals that don’t serve you.

So take the time. Honor the off-season. 

It’s in this space that you’ll find the clarity, strength, and direction you need to embark on your next great adventure.

 Today's Vlog

In this video, I'm taking you to Leadville, Colorado, where I'm getting ready for a 100-mile bike race and 10 of my close friends are getting ready for the 100-mile run.

Come hang out with me as I share the ups and downs, the beauty of the mountains, and the reality of training for something this big. Don't forget to hit that like button, leave a comment, and subscribe if you want to keep up with my progress!

Today's Optimization

When I was in my late twenties, I was out of shape. I had no education about healthy eating, exercise, and their effects on energy, mental
clarity & well-being. I hired a personal trainer and started competing in triathlons. I started to recognize that movement was medicine for me. It was fueling my well-being.

So I now live by the moniker Movement is Medicine and that's what these Kane x Eric Hinman 2 collab kicks are all about. If you are wearing these you are living by the motto of “movement is medicine".

Know friends, training partners, or co-workers who would take value from weekly tips on a healthier lifestyle, enhanced accountability, and improved routines? Thanks for sharing!

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Publisher: Eric Hinman

Editor-in-chief: Bobby Ryan