I remember thinking it was “too late” to start triathlon when I was in my late thirties—overweight and uncomfortable in Lycra. But just like my misguided assumptions about investments (if you keep waiting for the perfect moment, you miss out on exponential growth), I later realized that setting both external goals and internal goals is the key to maintaining motivation, nurturing self-worth, and achieving success in any sport or life pursuit.

External Goals: The Real-Life Targets

In triathlon, external goals give us a clear finish line, much like the perfect interest rate does in finance. These are the sports goals that push you forward—a specific power output you want to sustain on the bike or aiming to win a World Title in a triathlon competition. If you look at professional triathlete success stories, you’ll notice a common thread: they set tangible, data-focused targets.

I still remember my first big race, nervously eyeing my cycling computer to check if I could hold my target wattage. Did I fail to achieve it at times? Of course. But every failure taught me something new—how to pace better, how to pick the right equipment, and even how to calm my nerves on race morning.

Internal Goals: Fuel for the Journey

On the flip side, internal goals are all about the things you can control from within. These goals may be aiming to give your best effort in training, maintaining consistency across the season, or simply showing up to every swim session, even on days you feel like hitting the snooze button. Think of them like personal investments that compound over time: you might not see the immediate payoff, but the results can be astonishing.

It’s these internal motivations that keep us grounded when the external stuff—like the weather, mechanical issues, or a sudden injury—threatens to knock us off course. By focusing on what we can control, we keep our self-worth intact and stay driven to grow.

Challenging Yet Achievable

When setting goals, it’s essential to strike that perfect balance between “this is really tough” and “this is still possible.” Whenever my coach insisted on upping my mileage, I’d question whether my body could handle it. As it turned out, pushing my limits in a realistic way resulted in tangible achievement.

Lionel Sanders, who often goes by Mr. No Limits, exemplifies this spirit in the triathlon world—a shining example of someone who sets challenging goals but ensures they are still achievable goals with the right training and mindset.

Missing a Goal Isn’t Failure—It’s Growth

If you miss your mark, view it as a chance to reassess and adjust your plan rather than succumb to frustration. I’ve signed up for multiple races in one season, only to find my body wasn’t quite in sync. Each time, I learned to refine my training and lean on my triathlon circle for advice.

In fact, each shortfall can be a catapult toward your next phase of personal development. I like to compare it to stepping stones across a river: sometimes you slip, but you still move closer to the other bank with each try.

The Sweet Taste of Satisfaction and Emotional Release

We often underestimate how deeply a long-term goal can touch our hearts. After twelve years of pursuing goals in triathlon, I’ve witnessed (and personally felt) the tears of satisfaction and emotional release that come with finally conquering a looming challenge. It’s not unlike popping a champagne bottle after a decade of steadily saving in your financial portfolio. The moment you realize that all those strategies—both external and internal—finally paid off is incredibly powerful.

If you’ve ever needed a reason to keep going, remember that the emotional release you get when you cross that finish line, or hit that elusive power output, is one of life’s finest rewards. And it doesn’t matter if you never hold a World Title; the essence of winning is often the personal journey itself.