What does going for the gold mean to you? Is it completing a higher degree in your chosen field, such as an MSN or a DNP if you are in the nursing profession? Maybe your gold is attaining your first or a more responsible leadership position. It might be more a personal high goal, such as achieving peak physical and/or emotional wellness. Whatever is the golden goal, here are five ways to help you win your gold!

1. Be clear what your personal gold or gold standard is to you. Just wanting to become more successful, healthier, etc. is not enough. Think about Olympic athletes. They know exactly what they want to accomplish.

2. Make a plan to get to the golden goal. Athletes plan their workout times to develop their skills to super high levels. To attain a higher degree, part of your plan may be to research distance learning programs so you can work while you continue your education.

3. Learn whatever knew skills you need to get to your goal, such as taking classes to prepare you for a higher position and maybe engaging a mentor or coach’s help.

4. Focus on how great it will feel to have your metaphorical gold medal around your neck when you start to feel discouraged. You can bet every athlete has wanted to quit at one time or another. There is nothing sadder to me than watching a runner slow down just before the end of a race, rather than putting in that extra effort like one of our female winners at the London Olympics did. In the last one hundred feet or so, she came from behind and jetted ahead of her last competitor to walk away with the gold medal!

5. A challenge to become your personal best at whatever you consider to be your golden goal is to make sure also to chisel out at least a few hours per week to relax, spend time with people you love, and whatever else you value in life, so your high aspiration doesn’t become a life unbalancing obsession. Being overly committed to attaining a high achievement at the total exclusion of everything/everyone else, can adversely affect both how well you do and how much you appreciate the golden goal once you accomplish it!

GOING FOR THE GOLD MAY NOT MEAN EXACTLY THE SAME THING FOR PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS NURSES AS FOR ATHLETES, BUT WHEN YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE YOUR FEELING OF ELATION CAN BE THE SAME!