As vibrant day-glow legs and feet pound the streets in preparation for the ever growing number of marathon events sweeping through the country, that particular feat seems a step too far for those of us who struggle to take the dog around the block.
Brain Train
We do, however, tackle marathons in our lives every day. Mental ones. They could be working dads grappling with the tempestuous school runs and professional deadlines.
They could be career mums tackling homework and office competition. Or they could be frantic students tortured with pre-exam stress. Life is not easy, but it’s how we handle the challenges that makes us.
One Step at a Time
Marathon trainers bite off a bit at a time—6 miles, 10 miles, 14 miles and so it increases until they acclimatize their bodies to what they can endure. The same principles apply in our everyday lives as we dodge the bullets, catch the curve balls and take on the challenges from left field. But nobody can conquer 25 miles in one fell swoop—not successfully anyway and without serious injury. We have to pace ourselves psychologically to take on life’s challenges. Build strength, stamina and confidence—in our heads. And the key ingredient for success at any level, is confidence in ourselves. The training schedule for getting to that stage can be as grueling as pounding the streets for a marathon, but there is plenty of help along the way in self help books to tap into your own courage, find that confidence and embrace it.
Keep it Positive
Each day, our heads buzz with thoughts that leave us gasping for breath, our muscles pulled and strained in many dimensions and our confidence drained into a pool of sweat. So we need a little bit of downtime to regroup. Meditation, yoga or just taking the dog for a walk are a good way to let your brain breathe.
Loosen up some space to think and plan out the day/week/way you are going to handle your crammed life.
Imagine a Life Less Stressful
Just as serious athletes spend most of their training hours visualizing their victories, the same is needed for each of us. Set out a training plan. Visualize the route (which may be scattered with hurdles). Then – as all great achievers do, take on what we can manage comfortably and build on our strengths. The presentation that needs to be delivered to the board on Friday? The proposal that needs creative ideas to stand out in the crowded arena of pitches. Balancing out work’s demanding schedules with reading your children a bedtime story. Every day has it’s mental marathons, but methodical endurance training takes us that little bit further each time we push the boundaries to the next level.
Dealing with life’s daily tasks is what makes us. What shapes us. What we teach our children. Confidence is what makes people believe us—but most importantly, confidence makes us believe us.
Photo by David Schap
Paola Ramirez
Latest posts by Paola Ramirez (see all)
- How to Say Yes to the Dress - July 22, 2022
- How to Get Back on Track when you Have Experienced a Fitness Injury - October 18, 2021
- How to Get the Most from Every Workout - October 15, 2021
