Walking the Walk: Inspiration, Preparation, Commitment & Resilience

With a mix of excitement and trepidation, I approached the historic Fraunces Tavern, the start (and end) point of the Great Saunter, a daylong urban hike around the entire perimeter of Manhattan Island. It wasn’t the mileage that scared me but the weather forecast. My app called for 100% chance of rain. Checking the hour-by hour for the day, I found that it would rain the entire day. Showing up meant braving the weather, but was I brave enough? Could I meet the physical and mental challenge of walking for 10-12 hours when the weather was predicted to be the worst on record for the day?

I wanted to do the Great Saunter as soon as I heard about it in 2019 and was signed up to do it in 2020. Well, we all know how that panned out. So, I had to wait out the event’s 2-year hiatus during the global pandemic. This year marked the 35th of this great walk founded by Cy Adler in 1985, and I wanted to cross this item off my bucket list. My bucket list is more than just physical challenges. Living my bucket list, engaging in positive activities, is also a mental thing to breathe some excitement into my life. It is a north star to maximize the memorable experiences and to break out of monotony. Pursuing unique experiences helps me continuously expand my mind to new possibilities. For me, it is a great way to boost personal growth and feel incredibly “alive.”

Spending a day meandering around the shorelines of Manhattan, visiting hidden parks, remote shorelines and off the beaten path neighborhoods seemed like a truly unique and unforgettable experience, even if a bit crazy. I invited my friends to join me. All politely declined. Most also saying it was the sane response to an invite to walk 32 miles – a marathon plus six on foot. And that was before knowing it would rain buckets all day long. And so, only my husband and I, an apprehensive party of two, found ourselves friendless but surrounded by many friendly faces on the Great Saunter. For the first time, registration for the event had sold out, capping at 2,500 participants. What started as an informal stroll around Manhattan has grown to an annual pilgrimage of sorts. Walkers, or “Saunterers,” of all demographics walk together, yet at their own pace, to create memories and collect moments of awe and wonder.

As I was timidly making my way to the meeting spot, my fellow walkers strode to it with purpose and confidence. The energy was palpable, good vibes only. Showing up, I quickly realized, would require getting in a “New York state of mind,” which to me means tapping into my inner strength and resiliency. I think of NYC like the ocean. Its energy is relentless. Its people thrive in chaos and confront adversity with grit and determination. Whatever the challenge, harsh weather, September 11th, being the epicenter of the Coronavirus pandemic, New Yorkers adapt, overcome, and prevail.

Below is a list of what I’ve observed throughout my many visits to NYC as the strengths of its residents:

1. They walk with a purpose (they don’t waver from their intention nor dilly dally.)
2. They always move forward (they don’t abruptly stop walking.)
3. They are very focused (they are not rubberneckers or looky-loos.)

Thus, wrapped like a burrito, I vowed to walk with the end-point as the destination in mind, without getting distracted. I would allow myself to make calculated and strategic stops but avoid unnecessary ones that would sap my energy rather than keep me motivated. I would stay focused even if others decide to quit. And so, amidst a steady stream of wet but determined hikers I walked. Walked. Walked. And walked some more. I walked to the sound of wind and rain in my ears and to the rhythm of my pounding feet. As I was getting the miles in, I started to get my Zen on, to notice and to appreciate every blade of grass, looking at things from a fresh perspective.

Despite the less-than-ideal conditions walking one of the toughest Great Saunters on record in relentless rain, unseasonably cool temps, some hefty wind gusts, and the many detours (aka additional mileage), I had an incredible day. According to the Saunter’s website, 546 in all made it back to Fraunces Tavern, for a finisher rate of 36%. Whether quitter or finisher, we can all be proud for showing up and giving it a try. We’d made this journey together and alone, each with our own personal memories to last a lifetime.

The main takeaway for me was that goal-setting is a necessary aspect of life satisfaction and career success. While the purpose of goal-setting is goal-achievement, its power is the journey of self-discovery. There are 4 critical elements for success when setting goals: inspiration, preparation, commitment, and resilience.

Inspiration: set a goal that excites you.

It is easier to muster motivation and wrangle up willpower to put in the intense effort when we feel enthusiasm to move in the direction toward a desired outcome. A goal must mean something, and there must be a value to achieving it, in order to activate and sustain action to accomplish it. If there’s nothing in it for you, the chances of putting in the work are slim to none.

Preparation: think ahead, have a plan, be ready.

As I remained dry and warm, Alfred Wainwright’s (England Coast to Coast Walk) quote kept coming back to me: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Like the weather, most things in life are only as bad as we make them to be. Goal-setting requires planning and lining up the resources, gear, tools, and equipment.

Commitment: find what would spur you on.

Working towards goals is an ultramarathon. Commitment means putting the “I will” into willpower. It requires developing an enduring mindset for the distance, to keep moving forward until you either finish or cannot go any farther. Commitment utilizes two strategies: reflection and refinement. Reflection is the candid assessment of how things are going and the alignment of actions with the goal. Refinement is the proactive management of behavior choices in order to follow through on good intentions.

Resilience: win the battle within

When setting a big goal, it is a given you’d be on the move for a very long time. Thus, you will need to utilize all your resources, strengths and skills as at one time or another, your mental fortitude will be tested. Developing resilience is a personal journey. And getting through the rough patches is what makes a proud finish so fulfilling. But resilience is also knowing when to look for the helpers along the path. Be sure to look for them end enlist the support needed to get you to the finish line.

Is there a dream you want to fulfill, an experience you’d like to have, or a goal you’d like to achieve? Whatever your dreams, aspirations, or goals may be, there are benefits to turning them into a bucket list. To create your bucket list, consider the following:

• What would you do if you had unlimited time, money and resources?
• What have you always wanted to do but have not done, yet?
• What experiences do you want to have?
• What are goals you’d like to achieve in the next 3 years?
• What activities or skills do you want to learn or improve?

Come up with as many items as you can. Don’t stop until you have at least 10. Include anything you like on your bucket list - career goals, travel destinations, health, finance, career, or relationship goals, etc. Let your imagination run wild.

Once completed, look through the list. Is there anything that resonates with you? Which item would you like to turn into a SMART goal, to be completed by December 31, 2022?

Think SMART:

Specific (action plan)

Measurable (tangible outcome)

Achievable (within the realm of possibility)

Relevant (genuine benefit)

Time-Bound (deadline)

I hope you dream up ideas, set an inspirational goal, embark on a journey of self-discovery and mastery, and rip the sweet fruits of success and prosperity.