Big Hairy Audacious Goals
One of the first challenges put before me in the early days of my time as our Diocesan Coordinator of Youth Ministry was to set Big Hairy Audacious Goals, otherwise known as BHAGs. Since that time I have come to believe that all of us should have at least a few BHAGs written down that we are actively working on. I have also learned that these are usually accomplished one small step at a time. About eight years ago, my friend David and and I decided that one of our BHAGs was to walk the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. Our first step in accomplishing this goal was to spend lots of time researching how successful and unsuccessful hikers had approached the goal of walking 2,175 miles. Due to our particular circumstances we decided our strategy would be to break the trail into sections with the goal of finishing in ten years. After eight years, we have completed 763 miles of the trail which means, barring a miracle, we will not finish within the original time frame.
There are a few things that I have learned as we have continued to walk towards the completion of our goal. The first is that our journey began long before we set foot on the trail. The second is that some of the most intense temptations to quit came in the first three days. I still very much believe that even though our schedule to finish has been extended, that whether we would finish was decided in those first three days of backpacking. The third thing I have learned is that our completion of this goal has and will hinge upon discipline and our ability to encourage one another.
Recently my mind has been turning more often to the trail which has led me to get out the maps and start planning a trip. Our last trip was fueled by David’s energy, I think this next one is up to mine.
What is a current BHAG for your life? What have learned as a result of choosing this particular goal?
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