Anatomy of a BHAG

War on Second - June 15th 2024

It all started in August of 2023.

I was out for a walk, and found myself musing about the fact I would be 60 in a few years.

"It would be so much fun to pull 600 lbs. when I'm 60!"

Birth of the BHAG

A BHAG is a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal; Jim Collins coined the phrase in his best selling business book Built to Last. And while I knew the term, I had never really intentionally set a BHAG for myself. That was about to change.

At that time, I had been weightlifting for more than 10 years. And while I always have a goal at the gym, competing in a Powerlifting meet had never been one of them.

Steven and me at Tenacity Fitness

I ran the idea by Steven, my personal trainer, and he jumped on board. "Let's do it!!!"

Among his many gifts, being a great encourager ranks high. And after training together for so long, I trusted him implicitly.

My next call was to a classmate from Brown. Dave began bodybuilding while we were in school, and did several competitions after we graduated. I went to a few to cheer him on, and it seemed logical to get his take on my idea.

"Meliss. You gotta do it. If your goal is to pull 600lbs when you're 60, don't make that your first meet. Do one now to get the experience."

And then... "and Meliss. Do it now. Who knows if your body will be able to compete in two years?"

And right there, he had me. I knew he was right about the timing. What seemed like a far off goal suddeny got real. And I respected his experience with competition, and realized that I should get at least one meet under my belt if I really wanted to hit that future goal.

Which brings me to the first requirement for a BHAG.

Accountability

I was careful about who I chose to share my goal with. I knew I needed to tell enough people - and the right people - to get a sense of accountability.

This group needed to be people I respect; whose opinions I value; who have a history of encouraging me, and challenging me in the right ways. And more than anything, I needed to trust that they would 100% root for me.

I added one close friend/gym buddy, and one colleague to the mix. And for the time being, I did not share my goal with family.

Now it was time for the second step of my BHAG.