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Speed Dial: 60-Second Marketing Insight Newsletter
Follow-up to my half-marathon experience in The Gift of the 10th Mile (ING Marathon Atlanta GA)
Even if you're a can-do person, there
are days, weeks, & months when running your race feels unusually hard. You summon the
strength to move forward, of course, but the weight of all the things you need & want to do
has slowed your pace to a crawl, and the tricks you usually use to motivate yourself are falling
flat. You've reached the tenth
mile.
When you're challenged to the limit, can
you:
1) Let
someone else go the distance.
I shared my feelings about being overburdened with my husband, who listened empathetically, came up with a plan, and threw himself into action. When I admitted that I just couldn't do everything, Ward carried me until I had the strength to run again. The combination of listening, encouragement, and help allowed me to rest & regroup; are you willing to let people do this for you?
2) Shed
some layers.
I get requests every day to pitch in at school, volunteer in our community, and help to my friends, family, & work associates. I'm becoming more comfortable accepting the fact that I don't need to take on every worthwhile request. As I've said "I can't do that right now", I've felt a tangible sense of relief. What will you choose to let go of- - at least for the time being?
3) Stop for water.
I've been taking a little time almost every day to turn my computer off & indulge in my love of gardening. I've also resumed a daily time of faith-related reading, and as you read this, I'm vacationing with my family. What allows you to move into a state of just BEing rather than constant DOing? Sometimes a few small moments reward you with a disproportionate rejuvenation, like:
- Listening to your favorite music (crank it up to
11)
- Taking a walk, ride or drive on a fresh Spring
day
- Phoning someone who "gets" you - Giving a simple act of kindness, with no expectations - Watching that movie or reading that book you loved long ago - Being fully engaged in talking or playing with kids - Re-visiting a place of personal significance - Whatever sprang to mind as you glanced through this list
Let someone else go the distance, shed some layers, and stop
for water: those are the three things that are working for me as I move past the tenth
mile. I hope that at least one of these ideas will restore & renew your race,
too.
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