Going for a goal goal
October 25, 2007 by wapentake
It’s time for a new challenge.
But where to find one? Of course, there are countless lists of things to do before you hit 30, 40, 60, or the big snooze button.
Sadly, these are often lists of how to rack up mountains of debt in a short period of time: Go on a world cruise, watch the World Cup final, buy a Scottish castle…
Or they comprise lame attempts to be outrageous: Get drunk on absinthe, set off a fire extinguisher, drive at more than 200 km/h…
Not really what I have in mind.
But why the need for a challenge?
Well, I’ve got used to having a long-term goal as part of my life.
The latest bout of must-have-a-goaldom began in 2003. I’d just started running again after a year’s recuperation from a disc injury. I promised myself I’d run a marathon the following year.
After building up the mileage for twelve months, I started the full training programme on January 1st, 2004. I found the book “Marathoning for Mortals” a tremendous inspiration.
Two lines in particular have stuck in my mind:
“In the end, it all comes down to a single final step.”
“There comes a moment when you know that you will finish.”
I know there are thousands of similar quotes, but these two, like the best ones, hit the right spot at the right time. I taped them above my desk.
I ran my first marathon in May 2004. It was a stunningly beautiful spring day.
The most poignant moment was indeed the moment when I knew that I would finish. This was about 2km from the finish line when I could hear the announcements drifting, with erratic volume, over a rippling blue Lake Ontario.
The moment I finished the 42km race, I vowed I’d run another. I didn’t want to be someone who said they’d never do it again.
Five months later, in driving Toronto rain just a few degrees above freezing, I ran my second marathon. Better prepared, I beat my previous time by thirty minutes.
Someday, I’ll write more about these races.
Following this physical challenge, it seemed right to go for a change of focus.
A master’s degree beckoned. For various reasons, I had hoped to avoid this return to academia, but the circumstances seemed right.
So, I enrolled at a university back in the UK, and spent the next two and a half years completing this distance learning course.
The final results have just come through. This, I hope, will be the last of the major qualifications relating to teaching/education that I undertake.
Taking a short digression from self-deprecatory, be-hairshirted, blowing-up-of one’s-own-trumpet Britishness, my teaching “credentials” now include:
* PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) - the British secondary school teaching qualification, which allows me to teach French and German to kids aged 11-18. I am very very unlikely ever to need this piece of paper for any practical purpose.
* DELTA (University of Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) - a course for experienced teachers that has rigorous practical and theoretical components. If you have this piece of paper, employers know that you have the nous to cut it in the classroom. When you put your mind to it.
* MA TESOL (Master of Arts degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) - this says nothing about my teaching ability, but proves that I can knock out a mean research dissertation on task-based learning. If any of you have insomnia issues, I might be able to help…
“Ah but this blog is soporific enough, thank you very much, Mr. Wapentake.”
OK, OK, let’s get back to the goal goal.
I’ve gone from a physical to an academic challenge. Now, I have to come up with the next venture.
I like my goals to require a bit of concerted effort and to have a definite ending.
Suggestions anyone?
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Technorati: things to do, marathon, teaching qualifications, there comes a moment when you know that you will finish, inspirational quotes, get drunk on absinthe
Well, I believe the best place to start is to remember what you always “wanted to be” when you were a kid. What things did you imagine? Are you there yet? Sure, something like being a superhero might come up, but what was it about it that fascinated you? The fascination is what is achievable. That’s a worthy goal.
I too ran a marathon, and accomplished something I was literally told I could not. I am a semester away from completing my second degree, but it was a long time vendetta with myself. My next goal will be to finish the book I am writing - even if nothing comes of it. I remember very clearly what I felt I wanted for myself way back when anything was possible, even flying. Eventually, I’ll figure that out and achieve it.
Until then, I have a lot of challenges to pick from.
Hey, I almost applied for a Masters in TESOL program so I wouldn’t be bored hearing about your dissertation. I decided against it because I didn’t want to get involved in the school system (it’s a mess here in the US).
Anyway, suggestions… you could learn to meditate, learn rock climbing, go sky diving, try to read Finnegan’s Wake, become a Polar Bear (those people who go swimming in the winter)… Let us know what you decide.
Travel! Pick five must-see-before-I-die spots and find ways to get there.
Savy: I like your suggested approach. Writing and outdoor activities such as running, cycling and hiking have always appealed strongest to me. Is there a literary seam for dry-humoured trotters just waiting to be mined?
Good luck with your novel btw. Any sneak excerpts around?
Miss R: Great range of ideas! Except for the Joyce idea - books have to be unputdownable these days.
For the dissertation - I’ll let you know if I hit the conference trail!
Beth: Five? Just five?? Well - Athens GA, Corsica, Iceland, Easter Island, Nepal - for starters. Dunno what the house exchange scene is like on Easter Island - Ontario in February anyone?… Anyone?