Why it matters even if you aren’t a runner…
Has moving into the final quarter of 2020 got you like….
- Barely breathing
- Let’s get this over with already
- I dare you to stop me now
- Puh-leaze (insert eye roll)
- Where am I and what day is it??
- All of the above on a rotation of every 15 minutes
Anybody? Or is it just me??
Remember the excitement of brand new 2020? We had all the quotes and memes about 2020 vision – it was the beginning of a new decade and it felt like a new era filled with promise. THEN….the bottom fell out and all of our plans scattered on the floor. COVID-19 changed our lives in indelible ways. Fear and uncertainty became part of our landscape every.single.day. Conversation began to focus on developing a strong mindset and good mental health.
“Pivot” became a buzzword as we learned how to conduct business and personal matters within the new parameters presented by the pandemic. Many people thrived but some struggled to regroup. At the outset of this new phase I dug in and determined to use my time in productive ways. One of my priorities was to finally lose this extra weight I have been carrying around for more years than I care to admit. So, I was intentional about exercising every day and I chose habits I needed to focus on changing (eating more vegetables, not snacking at night). This gave my mind something to latch onto and it was within my realm of control. When the world seems to be going to hades in a handbag it is important to find something that we can have control over in a positive way. Well, for me it was those small events and habits throughout the day that kept me sane. Looking back, I realized that mindset was critical if I wanted to accomplish this goal. There are volumes written about mindset but the first thing I thought of was my approach to a goal or project. My exercise of choice is to get out on the trails for a run and/or walk and one day this running analogy became crystal clear.
Do I have a “marathon mindset” or do I ascribe to the “sprinter strategy”? Which one is best and why does it matter?
Maybe you are like my friend Sandy. She says, “You will never hear me say the words ‘while I was out running’.” She is adamant that the only time she will be running is to chase after the Coke truck! I disagree though because I have seen her run from a bug in her kitchen!! Ok, but don’t worry even if you have absolutely no inclination for running this will apply to you.
What is a Marathon Mindset?
A “marathon mindset” is simply realizing that the task before you will need a long-term approach. We adjust our expectations knowing this goal is like a long run. It will take time and we can’t rush the process.
A marathon runner realizes that pace is important. They should not jump out at the start and use up loads of energy. This will cause the runner to burn out quickly before the finish line. I can think of a LOT of goals that I started out with a burst of energy but fizzled before the finish line (hello, New Year’s resolutions) and looking back I think it is because I adopted the wrong mindset. Losing weight, for example. I am the queen of trying all the shiny new programs and diets that come out hoping for the “quick win”. I wanted to hurry up and lose the weight. If I get to my goal then I will be ___________(happy, healthy, confident, beautiful). Ummm. So far that has not worked. This time though I have set my mind to marathon mode for weight loss goals. It’s been a subtle shift that has brought about a kinder, gentler approach to weight loss. This mindset has allowed me to stop striving against what I am, focus on strengths and learn from my weaknesses. We need time to identify those if they are going to work in our favor. Here’s what I have learned from this marathon mindset:
- A comfortable pace is important. It should be a balance of moving forward and preserving enough energy to complete the race. Don’t push yourself so hard at the beginning that you give up on your goal.
- Settle in for the long haul. Don’t let distractions cause you to falter or run erratically. Stay focused on what motivates you to finish this “race”.
- Expect changes along the way. There will be hills, valleys and flats. Over time you may need to adjust your strategies for completing the goal. Do you need a “running partner”? After a while the trail may get lonely. Find someone trying to achieve a similar goal and work alongside them. It’s more fun with a buddy!
- Your “running form” matters. Form = habits. Whether it is weight loss or completing a degree check your habits to determine what is working for or against you.
- Having an intentional plan is critical for success. Without a plan we get stuck in a holding pattern. I experienced this in my weight loss. If I don’t have any structure I am just coasting along and before I know it a month has gone by and I have not moved forward one iota. That is so disheartening! So, avoid getting into a slump by making a tangible plan such as a calendar, checklist, graph or a specific program to keep you moving.
- Keep looking forward. Trust me, if you take your eyes off the trail you will fall! Sometimes those rocks won’t move and you end up tumbling down the hill. Ask me how I know?? Don’t spend energy worrying about the past mistakes and missteps. Let them inform your decisions and stay focused on what is ahead.
- Remember that your pace is your pace. It is unique to your experience, circumstances and strategies. Confession time: this is so hard for me! I struggle with comparing my journey to everyone else’s. That, my friends, is a big energy suck. I see others moving along faster than I am and I want to know why? How did you do it? Maybe I should do what they are doing…maybe I should switch to their plan. Stay in your lane, running your race. It is what you were designed to do!
This marathon mindset works extremely well for goals like earning a college degree, losing weight, getting in good physical shape, learning a new language, writing a book, growing a business, gardening or homeschooling. These goals take time, perseverance, and patience. But where does the “sprinter strategy” come in?
What is Sprinter Strategy?
A sprinter trains in a totally different way. They prepare to blast out of the starting blocks with all the strength and energy possible. The race is short and there is no time for lags or false starts. I think of a sprinter as explosive, decisive and powerful. Determined to lay it all on the track. They have a proven strategy and they stick to it. While I am not usually a sprinter by nature I can think of times where this strategy works better than the marathon mindset.
- There’s a project that you have been procrastinating over and now it really needs to get done. Focusing your energy and blasting out off the blocks may help you find the power you need to finish it efficiently. Maybe you have an essay to write and you have been putting it off. At some point you need to sit down and start typing. Stop planning and take decisive action in order to complete the task.
- A sprinter strategy may work better for routine tasks such as cleaning house or reports and presentations for work. You know what you need to do and there is really no benefit to spreading that task out over time. Most of us just need to get it done!
- Specialized tasks or projects can be completed with this strategy as well. Organizing a closet or planning a special meal. You need a plan, but the time frame is short and focused and then you move on to the next thing.
Our energy expenditure is different for these various goals. For the long term, marathon goals we need to have stamina to complete the entire race. We don’t want to come up short because we ran out of energy. The sprinter strategy requires a high energy level to finish fast and strong. We can’t hesitate or we will be left in the dust!
Does your mindset match your race? If you are trying to sprint through a marathon I daresay you won’t make it to the finish line. I’m certain that is why my weight loss goals are unmet. I have been trying to sprint (quick results) when that race is a marathon (lifestyle change). So, the finish line has been elusive so far. Are you tackling a sprint with a marathon mindset? If so, you will have difficulty meeting deadlines and you may remain stuck in that area of your life.
Sometimes we need to shift our mindset. We thought we were running a sprint (hello, COVID) but it turns out it is a marathon. Our success in finishing the race depends on our mindset. Run with purpose, friends.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done. “
Nelson Mandela