Have you ever set yourself a really brave sporting goal - to complete a full marathon, drop 20+ kg, lift a 100 kg barbell on straight arms? We are constantly surrounded by a goal-oriented attitude: everything is focused on the result. The fact that it is in the process that the real value lies is often overlooked.

If we don't enjoy the process, we may get there, but then we give up and don't set new goals. We may find ourselves back at zero or even in the red after a few years.

Think of the morning runner who wakes up before dawn to get a conscientious day's training in. His goal is to run a half marathon in the autumn, a personal best. All her focus is on the date and the number - the seconds to save on the course, the miles to complete. By focusing on the result, every run becomes a means to an end, not an enjoyment. Perhaps he forgets to notice how beautiful the morning city is, or how nice it is just to go for a run because it makes you feel good? He or she is fulfilling a training plan as an obligation, trying to rush through it in order to get to the 'real' result.

This approach is exhausting, and we often find a strange emptiness when we cross the finish line: "Now what?" There may be a brief moment of satisfaction, but if the process has not provided enjoyment or a sense of progress, the end goal will not provide much emotional reward. The satisfaction of success dissipates more quickly than you might expect.

However, targets are necessary

However, a carefully set goal that motivates and guides you to take action is also extremely valuable. How can you avoid a one-sided 'results-over-all' mindset? One way is to look at exercise as a process of self-discovery: as an experiment to understand your body and mind better; as a daily moment in which you can be focused, present and satisfied. For example, a rider preparing for the Tartu Bike Rally in early summer could take ten minutes at the end of each training session to analyse how his body reacted, what emotions it evoked, what he learned from it. Look for small moments of joy - like a nice view of a village road, a joke shared with a partner or the feeling in your legs when you crossed a little steeper "bump" at full speed. He will see the results anyway, but he doesn't wait for them anxiously - they will come gradually, with dedication and enjoyment.

It's natural that targets encourage action. However, we should not forget that true growth and satisfaction come along the way. If we only strive for the finish line, the exhausting feeling of emptiness will soon be waiting for us.

Adding the experience, the learning and the gratitude to each training day makes the journey that much more enjoyable. A goal is like a compass for us to keep our focus, but every step is worth noticing and feeling. That way, you'll live each workout or pass with an enriching experience that has lasting value - and, most importantly, you'll truly enjoy both the daily workout and the festive glow at the finish line.