5:37:34
This is the time it took Kat, our junior people program manager,  to ride her borrowed steel bike from Vancouver to Whistler in her first GranFondo in 2011.

4:00:00
The time she set her sights on to complete the same grueling course in 2012.

How was she going to knock an hour and 37 minutes off her time? By setting a goal, getting the right bike and, of course, training hard.

step 1: find the perfect fit

I knew my borrowed bike just wasn’t going to cut it if I was going to finish sub 4 hours. I began scouring the Vancouver bike scene and was most impressed with The Bike Gallery on West 10^th. They understood that my bike is a part of me and that it’s really important for it to fit perfectly, especially since I have to sit on it for so long! Sidenote: If you’re in the market for a new ride, I highly recommend taking the time to find a shop that is as passionate about cycling as you are – it’ll most definitely be worth every penny thereafter.

step 2: getting fit

It was during that fit session at the bike shop that I discovered FitFX Studio, which was located just down the street. FitFX is a studio dedicated to coaching cyclists indoors and out. When I found out that they offered clinics to teach you how to ride in a group, I knew I had found a community that was going to help me achieve my goal – I was going to be sitting in the midst of 7000 other riders about to start a race, after all.

I began training with them twice a week for the hill series. I loved that I just had to turn up for the ride and Paul, the head coach, would have the route all worked out. Some days it was a ride up our local mountains, other days it was a series of shorter but more intense hill repeats. I learned how to ride in a paceline, which made me feel badass and Paul also gave me other training and nutrition tips along the way.

a hit and a miss

4:16:35. Was my time for the Whistler GranFondo 2012. As I crossed the line, I knew that I had failed to achieve my goal. A mix of emotions overcame me. I wanted to both celebrate and cry, all at the same time! Then, I had a thought; I had set myself an audacious goal. Knocking an hour and 37 minutes off my time is a BFD. I finished the race placing 22^nd in my category, knocked an hour and 21 minutes off last year’s time, had no mechanical issues and finishing feeling well-nourished, hydrated and strong. Even if I missed my time goal, there was still a lot to celebrate and I am so proud of this accomplishment.  Setting and sharing big goals makes me feel vulnerable but I would rather fall a little short of a huge goal than meet a mediocre one.

onwards and upwards

My legs hadn’t even fully recovered by the time I was committing to my next cycling challenge! In the spirit of big goals and vulnerability, I will be riding in the 2013 Gastown Grand Prix, a shorter, faster and much more intense race than the GranFondo… And with a lot more spectators!

If you were to look up the words “inspiration” and “possibility” in the dictionary we’re quite certain you’d find our former educator, Betsy’s, name listed in their descriptions (hey Oxford, we’re proposing a rewrite). Not only did she find the courage to leave an unfulfilling career in HR to follow her dreams of being a life coach, she also recently crushed a jaw-dropping goal: 365 days of sweat (which is exactly what it sounds like it is).

Rumor has it you set a BHAG to sweat for 365 days. True?
Yes. I am a firm believer of the statement, "you have to live it to give it." As a life coach, I wanted to make sure that I was living a healthy life that had a consistent workout ritual (which I preach often). Not only were my workouts inconsistent, I also knew I was capable of a whole lot more. Last October (2011) I was on a run in a park and the idea popped up in my head. After the run, I came up with a name for the adventure and started blogging that evening. Initially the blog was a way that my friends and family could help hold me accountable to my goal but it transitioned into a beautiful space of inspiration for others.

So did you really sweat 365 days in a row?
Yes and no. I worked out for 365 days in a row but sometimes my body needed a break and I listened. Those days I would walk for 45 minutes in my neighborhood or go to a slower paced yoga class. I did not sweat (much), I just moved. It is important to listen to what your body needs no matter what your fitness goals are. When you are able to truly listen, you will be able to complete the goal a lot easier than if you push it so hard that it breaks.

What did achieving the goal mean to you?
The most important thing that it taught me is how powerful I can be when I fully commit myself to something. Everyone has self doubt and for me it kept coming back to, "you cannot complete anything!" By finishing this goal I was able to prove myself oh-so wrong. Now that I know that I am capable of completing things, my world seems endlessly full of possibilities. That's a pretty wonderful feeling.

Was there ever a point where you wanted to throw in the towel?
There were a few times when I felt like throwing the towel in my husband’s face! However his patience and soft encouraging words helped to keep me going. I have to admit that working out while you have the flu is one of the worst feelings around!

Favourite ways to sweat?
Good ole' fashioned running outside and yoga. Right before my wedding I became addicted to Yoga Sculpt (a power yoga class with weights and cardio) because of the high-intensity it helped lower my stress levels. My advice to future brides? Find a class similar to this and thank me later!

So does this mean you had to workout on your wedding day?
Yes! My bridesmaids and I ran a mile to a local park, where another one of my friends met us to lead 45 minutes of yoga. A few family members also came along for the ride. It was a beautiful way to start a day that celebrated love!

Did you try a bunch of different ways to sweat to change it up?
I did but I kept coming back to my favorites. I found that it was easiest to stick to my goal by doing the tried and true workouts most of the time. The strangest thing I did was going to a fitness concert in Denver called "OMG Fitness!" There were over 1,000 people wearing all white covered with glow in the dark paint, while completing a bootcamp class. I sweated my butt off, danced like a maniac and walked out of the event with my friend in hysterics. It completely pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am always thankful for that - primarily when I am done!

Hit us with some words of wisdom – what else did you learn?
Like anything in life, you make the things that are important to you a priority. If you do not have your health, then you have no life. Deep, right? Take care of your health and cultivate it by providing yourself with a healthy lifestyle. You will thank yourself a thousand times over for all of the benefits that continue to unfold.

Also, let go of the expectations that you have for what your body should look like. I thought that by the end of this my love handles would be non-existent. Nope, although they are smaller, they still linger around like that last guest at a dinner party. Once I was able to let go of what I thought my body should look like, I began to love my body as it is. Same goes with what my body is capable of during workouts. No hefty expectations means less pain. Try it, it feels so much better than hankering for a life of six-pack abs.

Anyone else out there attempt something like this before? 

We’re all about turning our can’ts into cans and dreams into plans (ahem, goals).  We got Jenna, our superstar goal coach, to host a live goal-coaching session with our socialsphere. Missed the event? NBD. Here’s a recap and Jenna’s own recipe for creating a life you love.

what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

… I’d move across the ocean.

To make it happen, ensure that you always include a 'by-when' date. For example, 'I move across the ocean by September 2020'. It gives you the commitment and puts a stake in the ground. Without it, it's not actually a goal.

…I’d get back to my goal weight. I am always so tired after a long day of work. What can I do to get that motivation and energy to work out?

You want to get back to something that you were before. I recommend letting go of the past and creating a brand new future that serves you for all that you are. Start with a commitment for next week and let that be enough.

…I’d have my own show on the travel channel but I’m afraid of starting the process... finding connections... putting myself/my idea out there for criticism... and being "TV” ready.

You've just written all your goals! Set some by-whens. "I'll start the process by X.” "I'll make five connections by X.” "I've completed classes or coaching by X to be TV ready." As for criticism, we don't reach our goals without criticism. Share your goals with people who love you and support you and listen to them.

…I’d move to Manitoba with my boyfriend. What's stopping me? Possibly school and what if it doesn't work out and I'm alone in Manitoba?

"If you don't like where you are, change it - you're not a tree." You can set a new goal for a new location. Change is constant.

no time? no money? no more excuses.

I'm struggling to find balance in my life between yoga, work, school, kids, friends, husband, etc...

Writing vision and goals are designed to create balance in your life. It's the framework that ensures all areas that are important to us are fulfilled and manifested.

I would love to go to yoga teacher training but money is a constraint.

Determine the teacher training program you want to do, figure out how much it's going to cost and give yourself the time and space to make that money and save it for what you know is most important - your teacher training.

I want to create a routine where I work out 3 times a week. I used to do yoga 3 times per week and I loved it; now I am not making myself a priority because I am so drained with my job. Sometimes, I would just rather do art but when I do my yoga I feel more balanced. I guess I just would like to feel more motivated when I don't feel like doing what I know to be good for me. A kick in the pants is what I need sometimes!

Put your three classes in your schedule for next week before you go to bed tonight. And then don't make anything more important than going to those classes. Consider this your kick in the pants!

I need to pass my calculus class but it's too hard to focus. I work full time, try to work out and I also have to find time to have a life. It's just hard to focus on that class especially because I'm not very good at math.

Is your calculus test soon? It may require you to work out less, work less or sleep less for the time being – whatever it takes to pass. Then you can get back to doing the things you love… and maybe don't take calculus anymore!

I’d love to make a career change. What's holding me back is money.  I'm used to making a certain amount and my bills won't pay themselves.

Did you know that you'd probably end up making more if you were in a job you loved? Set some goals to map it out. You've only got one life.

I’d love to be a social work officer and help my troops with PTSD. Fear of rejection is a powerful enemy in applying to schools. Have any tips?

The fear doesn't go away by not doing it, the fear goes away by facing it.

I want to return to softball with a fully strengthened knee from a surgery I had a year ago. Holding me back? Time, there’s just too little of it.

Lack of time is an illusion; every human has the same amount of it in a day. Our power is in how we choose to use our time.

get going on goals

Here are a few resources to get your goals going!

• get down to the nitty gritty – how to create a vision and set your goals

• do it now! do it now! – our goal setting sheet

Goal setting is all about creating a life you love. It's not about being better or more. Create a vision of your ideal life and set goals to get you there. We dare you to be great.

what's the goal of goal week?

Goal-setting 101. Goal sharing. Goal coaching. Goosebumps.

what to expect

Each day we'll be sharing goal-setting stories and tips to inspire and help you create meaningful goals that work for you. You'll hear from both goal setters and coachers across our company. We're going to give you the tools that we use here at lululemon.

how to get the most out of goal week

We want to hear from you. Leave us a comment. Come to our Ask a Goal Coacher... Live! event on Facebook (Sept. 8th at 4 pm.). Share your goals with others and ask them what their goals are.

the goal week schedule

Day 1: Welcome
Time to get your goal setting self in order! The goal of today is to get you thinking about the importance of goal setting. Whether you've never set goals before or are an avid goal setter, there'll be a part of Goal Week that means something to you. Hear from lululemon founder, Chip Wilson, on why he personally goal sets and how he got started being a goal setter.

Day 2: What is a goal?
Today's all about giving you the lay of goal-setting land. What exactly is a goal, and why do we set them? Learn how Carolyn, our Digital Innovation Manager, sets goals, and Kerry from Strategic Sales talks about creating the space for yourself to imagine.

Days 3 & 4: Dream, dream, dream
It's the weekend, so while you're in Saturday morning savasana spend your weekend dreaming, getting inspired, and thinking about what your ideal life looks like in 10 years. We've got some arts and crafts ideas for helping you figure this out.

Day 5: Create
After a weekend of creating possibilities for your best life ever, it's time to get down and dirty with your goals and fill your goal sheets in. Julie, our U.S. Training Manager, talks about goal setting and how to be a goal coacher.

Day 6: Put your goals out there
Something special happens when you share your goals. Learn more about the importance of sharing. Sara, our Director of Ecommerce Operations, shares her personal adventure in goal-setting and what holds her accountable.

Day 7: Love your failures
Learn why failing is important and come to our Ask a Goal Coacher...live! event with Matt, goal coacher extraordinaire, who will be answering your questions about goal setting on our Facebook wall for one hour starting at 4 pm PST. We're also going to check in with two of our BHAGs from June on this day and talk about the part of goal-setting that happens after you've filled out your goal sheet and hear how goal setting changed Ava's career direction.

related reading

Here are two blog posts about goal-setting to help get you in the goal-setting mood:

1. 30 Seconds to Change Your Life: "Setting goals has always been a love of mine. It gave me direction and purpose. More than once I have set my sights on big targets and wonder why, so close to getting it, it didn’t work out." read more >>
- Jenna, Online Community Educator at the Guest Education Centre

2. Got Goals? "We don’t take goals lightly at lululemon. Even though my skeptic soul tries to resist, when you set a goal and write it down on a piece of paper, you start working towards that very goal and you either achieve it or it leads you anew." read more >>
- Whitney, Social Media Specialist at the Store Support Centre

what's next?

We're here to support you on your journey in goal setting. Ask questions. Give us feedback. Leave a comment. Let's do this!