Whatever you do, commit to it.

If you want to be a doctor, commit to it. If you want to start your own business, commit to it. If you want the job of your dreams, commit to it. Whatever you decide doing in your life, commit to it.

The simple fact of life is that we try to over-complicate things for the sake of trying to please everyone around us. We spend so much time looking for ways to be accepted that we forget who we truly are, and what is it that we want to achieve on our own lives. In a way, following others is easier, but more complicated. Trying to fit in everywhere ultimately makes us looe ourselves to the point that we can't recognize who we are anymore. Following your own path, on the other hand, is simple, but hard. Getting to where we want to be takes guts, strength and commitment.

When I decided to become a triathlete, the decision was simple; get up, put my shoes on, and TRI. However, the commitment of doing this day in and day out is what makes such a seemingly simple decision into a hard job. Once the emotional high of embarking into a new journey fades away, the real challenge begins, and nothing makes your warm sheets in a cold morning more pleasant than knowing that you have to get out and run.

There are a few things that have helped me get through these rough patches that I would like to share. There is nothing new, but I have found that doing these little tasks go a long way in time.

1. Set a goal (and share it with everyone): Yes, setting goals that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Bound) is very important. It helps breakdown tasks to reach the goal, and allows us to see results along the way. However, I have found that sharing these goals with my friends and family helps even more. This is because it makes you accountable. The difference between goals set at work is that personal goals many times stay in our mind, making it easier to cheat on them. Yell them at the world, even if no one cares, it will get you one step closer to glory.

2. Start early: Schedules are hectic. We all have hundreds of commitments throughout the day that make it nearly impossible to open up space for our personal goals. Though my wife could argue on this one, I have found that training first thing in the morning gets the task out of the way quickly. It has other benefits as well. It makes you feel productive, it lets you meditate, and you get to enjoy the quiet.

3. Toughen up!: There is no pretty way to put it. There will be days were it is raining, days that are cold or hot. Focus on the things you can control: your pace, your posture, your breathing, your hydration and nutrition. Needless to say, listen to your body and avoid over-training, but keep in mind that training is as much mental as it is physical. Keep persevering, and be proud of every accomplishment, no matter how big or small. Most importantly: always stay humble.