By now we’ve all learned that it’s not really official – until it’s Facebook official. I say this jokingly, however there is some truth to this theory. People take their social media posts very seriously. They strategize and calculate the perfect time to post; whether it’s to announce a pregnancy, engagement, break-up, promotion, career goal, life goal or even something as simple as a work-out plan. I can’t tell you how many times a friend has shared information with me and then followed up with, “I haven’t posted it on Facebook yet.” This is generally code for: no one really knows so keep quiet!

Personally, I find that sharing my goals with friends and family on social media not only holds me accountable to my aspirations, but many times it inspires those who are chasing the same goal as I am.

Three years ago I was considering running the Chicago Marathon. It was an item on my bucket list and I knew if I didn’t do it soon, it was probably not going happen. Having never been a consistent runner prior, I was concerned I was way out of my league – or just out of my mind. Before I posted my goal on Facebook I thought about it for weeks. Did I really want to post it? What if I wanted to chicken-out? Or got hurt? Or changed my mind? Or realized I was crazy? Will my friends think I’m a loser if I back out? These were all questions I pondered over night after night. I knew as soon as I posted my plan to run, I would undoubtedly have to. As we all know, there’s no turning back once it’s Facebook official.

Finally the over-achiever in me signed up and posted the news for all my friends and family to see. I knew their encouragement along with my determination would get me through it – or at least get me to the start line.

I spent the next ten months training and linked my Nike+ Running App to my Facebook account. Each run would automatically post to my News Feed and would applaud me whenever friends commented or liked the post. It was the perfect motivation to keep going. And when October finally came – I stood at the start line knowing they all believed in me more than I believed in myself.

Throughout the race I posted mile-markers to keep my Facebook family up to date on my progress. As I hit walls I would check my phone to read their words of encouragement, and when I crossed the finish line – I cried. I cried because I couldn’t believe I actually did it, and I cried because I didn’t let the people who believed in me down. If it wasn’t for my goal posted on Facebook for all to see, I may have not finished. Or, if I did finish the victory would not have been nearly as sweet. In life, we all need a little motivation – so why not receive it from 500 of our closest (Facebook) friends?

One of my favorite quotes that I live by:

“I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.” –Abraham Lincoln.

After my marathon Facebook support group, I truly believe in the power of external (and social media!) motivation.

Posted on 3/26/2014

Written by Holly Rust

Holly Rust is a native Texan but currently resides in the great city of Chicago with her husband, two sons and their Chihuahua. She spent over 10 years in Marketing Communications and in the Luxury Hotel Industry as the Director of Events. She recently became a Freelance Writer and Editor (www.hollyrust.com), which has allowed more time for sanity and her family. She is also the co-founder of the popular humor blog, www.mothersguidetosanity.com, where she shares stories about the arduous task of chasing a toddler while managing career and family. Holly considers herself the ultimate foodie and loves to travel. She is also an avid runner and completed the 2011 Chicago Marathon.

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