Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Pain Is Temporary Quitting Lasts Forever

This year marks a milestone in my life. I'm 50+, developing a speaking career, working with some great business owners, who push me to be better every week and now I'm doing more writing and mentoring than ever before. Add to this mix, I've decided that those 40 extra ugly pounds of me have got to go.

Now I've been a long-distance runner for many years going back to my early 20's. I've run on almost every major continent, in all kinds of weather. The thrill of getting out there in the elements always makes me feel alive.

This year, things have been a bit different. I'm not the spring chicken that I was once, so now hitting that "wall" comes on a weekly basis rather than on a yearly basis. What do I mean by the wall? That's runner-speak for the limits of what you thought you were able to do. We've all experienced it before but this year has been different. In the past after a long lay-off from running, I would be able to get back in the swing of things fairly quickly. This time the breaking back in period has taken literally months. In order to get to the next level of competition, achievement or distance I have to begin to push myself, especially when I am approaching that "wall".

In our own personal lives we will hit the "wall" in many areas, whether it is financially, personally or in our employment, we will all hit the "wall". So what do we do when this occurs? Here are some keys to help you to become successful when hitting the wall.

1. Know that you aren't alone. Everyone hits the wall it is a natural thing we all go through.
2. Understand that it is rarely a physical pain we are experiencing. The "Wall" is mostly mental. Physically our bodies can adapt to the rigors of whatever we call upon it to perform.
3. People will try and help you quit. Our friends generally don't understand what must occur, so they will try and get you to stop, so you won't experience the pain.
4. Pain is weakness leaving your body. Pain, whether physical or mental is just the manifestation of weakness leaving your body. Let it hurt, hurt is good.
5. Know that once you've accomplished beating the "wall"you can do it again. Confidence is gained when each hurdle is passed. Push past this hurdle and you gain confidence to attempt the next.
6. Be reminded that Pain is only temporary, quitting last forever. You will quickly forget the pain of the run, the phone call, the reject, etc.. but you will long remember the fact that you quit attempting whatever was put before you to achieve. Don't ever quit, the scare that is left will last a lifetime.

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