Catching a radio interview last week, I heard one of Bermuda’s star, young athletes discussing the fraction of a second needed and how she expects, in her very next meet, to qualify for the Olympics!

There was so much hope and determination in her voice. One could almost hear the echoes of effort and discipline it’s taken to get her here, and the quiet inevitability that her hard work will come to fruition.

I sit in awe. Not unlike my admiration for all those who completed, or even attempted, yesterday’s Bermuda’s Half-Marathon Derby.

The training, the dedication, the perseverance … I couldn’t do it.

Well, technically, I guess I could. I have two legs and a fairly able body.

There are folks who started with far less who’ve gone on to achieve far more. But while athletics really aren’t my thing, I find it takes a similar approach to go for anything big and actually follow through on it.

Firstly, we have to really want it. It’s OK to say, “I’ll give that a whirl” or “That sounds fun” or even, “I should do that”. But we have to really want something to keep at it when the chips are down: the rain is pouring, the body’s aching or there are way “fun-ner” or easier options on offer.

Our want has to be so strong that it outshines any fear of failure along the way.

We also have to believe our goal is possible.

If we can visualise ourselves achieving something we create a sense of certainty that we can do it.

Treating a pending achievement almost like a foregone conclusion squeezes out room for doubt, which can fester into fear.

The more we can identify with our goal, the easier it becomes to stick at it. If we “are” a marathon runner, or an Olympian-in-the-making or a … (insert whatever your goal will make you), then this adds to our certainty. It’s human nature to align with our identity. How are you identifying yourself?

Then comes the legwork (no pun intended runners!). Following through requires us to schedule in our commitment. There’s little worse than starting something, gung-ho with guns blazing, just to fizzle out at the first hurdle. Achieving long-term goals depends on consistent action. That action requires planning and deadlines. No runner starts off running a marathon: they work out a strategy and a timetable, then build up.

Goal achievers also recognise the sacrifice that comes with “going for goal”.

Time and effort dedicated to one thing will mean less for another. A mistake I’ve often made is setting too many goals at once, wanting to work on everything. David Allen, a recognised expert in productivity, has said: “You can do anything, but not everything” and definitely not all at once. Focus is a key element of achieving big.

Keeping your eye on the prize and your heart in the game, you can follow through on the goals you set for yourself. If you need help and support achieving your aims, a coach is only a call away.

• Julia Pitt is a trained success coach and certified NLP practitioner. For further information contact Julia on 705-7488, www.juliapittcoach ing.com.