...and here is what I learned:
It Doesn't Matter How You Feel A lot of what we do everyday is routine, monotonous, and boring... Add a bit of soreness or an early morning to the equation and motivation can dive. And...What if you're sick? Like puke your guts out, sweat through your shorts because your fever just broke sick? What if you just had a baby and she isn't sleeping through the night? What if you had a month of plans already on your calendar? What if you traveled out of town for the holidays and had a few drinks? What I found was there was always a reason that "I shouldn't" be able to complete my run. Yet every time, I rewired my thoughts and I got it done. All the above situations--and many more "shouldn'ts"--showed up and happened to me throughout the month. I learned that it didn't matter how I felt prior to stepping outside, I felt more and more accomplished with every return to my door. (It didn't hurt to have my my four and one-year old sons to freak out with excitement as I opened the front door breathless and covered in sweat!) I learned that you have time for what you make time for. I learned that you can get things done even under less than ideal circumstances. I learned that it doesn't matter how I feel, it only matters how I choose to respond. I learned that I am in control of my actions. You Don't Have to Set a PR Every Run Playing sports all the way through the college level and then coaching full-time has put a huge competitive streak in me. I've instilled in myself and my athletes that small improvements everyday create huge gains. I've taught that you should work to get 1% better every day. So what happens when you plateau on day 10? Or you have to slow down from "race pace" so you can complete tomorrow's task? How are you getting better when your stat book says you are "trending slower." This was a challenge to reframe a few of my expectations within my mantras but... I learned that consistency is key. I learned that slow progress is better than no progress. I learned that the whole month of endurance was what needed growth, not my individual performance. I learned that mentally improving pays me way better returns than shaving a few seconds off a previous best. Someone is Always Watching I put myself out there in hopes of inspiring someone. I recorded all of my distances via GPS and posted them for the world to see. This kept me accountable to get things done. I shot a few in workout photos and messages and I talked with people about my task. But I didn't have control over what people would do. I'm sure people wanted to follow along. I'm sure a few people wanted me to fail. I know a few others who participated in the challenge alongside me. Whatever the reason, I know people watched. My kids watched. My wife watched. If nothing else, I set the example for them. I learned that the only important example that I need to worry about is how my kids see me. I learned that a small impact on anyone else only counts for bonus points. I learned that my challenges can change the attitudes, ideas and goals of others. I learned that I need to know where people are coming from before I can take people where I am going. Some of you could crush a 5K everyday, and probably do more. For some of you, the only thing you've crushed lately is a Big Mac and a 12 pack of Coca-Cola. Regardless of where you are starting on the spectrum, know that you are either moving closer to your goals or farther away from WHO YOU WERE CREATED TO BE. and whether you believe it or not: You were created for something great. Move in the direction of your dreams and watch who you become.
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DJ JohnstonDaddy. Leader. Visionary. Archives
March 2020
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