Milestones or goals?

Today hasn't been a good day. I have done next to nothing tangible, except go back to bed for a couple of hours. I did expect the physical effects of such an exertion though. The achievement last night of the one big goal I had - to go to Birmingham to see Steve Hackett - gave me pause for thought overnight and during today.

I bought these tickets over 13 months ago, before I'd even been told I needed a shoulder replacement, and right up until I got the date I never even thought my attendance was in question. Then a certain amount of panic set in as I worked out that it would only be 5 weeks since the op and I wouldn't be driving by that time.

My "fitness" drive in the last couple of weeks was aimed at getting me to Birmingham and back: after all, I'd hardly walked anywhere except up and down stairs for over a month and this period of enforced inactivity had taken its toll. My legs have slimmed down to the point where my leggings are hanging off instead of clinging to the flesh. I suspect that is muscle wastage.

Having not received the OK to drive yet, it would have to be a trip done on public transport. So, walk to the bus stop (0.3 miles), bus to town, bus to train station. New Street station to Symphony hall via the Post Office Vaults and Pieminister. What could possibly go wrong.

The journey between Pieminister and the Symphony Hall was horrendous. I had to sit and rest twice, and lean on a railing once. The world was going grey at one point, a sure sign that I wasn't taking in enough oxygen. I think it took me 20 minutes to walk about 500 yards.

Fantastic concert - but it hurt to applaud! So I resorted to tapping the edge of the terrace box where I was sitting.

The walk back was downhill so it only took me about 20 minutes to walk the 1000 yards, I only stopped once to get my breath and we managed to get an earlier train than the one I had planned. Taxi home, then drink of water and bed.

So what was I thinking about today?

Was this event a milestone - something to mark the passing of time or distance: or a goal - something to aim for? In determining that I was going to this gig come hell or high water, was I setting myself a goal for my recovery? Why is the distinction so important for me? If the gig was a milestone, then all that is needed is to mark the next one in the recovery. But if the gig was a goal, well I have now achieved that goal. Do I now need to set another goal and aim for it?

I have a long history of not setting goals. Or rather, of setting them and not achieving them for one reason or another, usually health-related. So I hesitate to set any goals or targets, call them what you will. I seem to have achieved a fair amount without using the means of setting goals.

I would value your thoughts on this one.