We have been asked to endure a lot these days – lockdowns, drawn-out election cycles, assaults on our democratic systems and structures, and no small measure of uncertainty. As I think about how people are managing, I’m drawn to an expanded definition of endurance.
Endurance, unlike its cousin resilience (which is how quickly we recover from an atypical challenge), is a long-haul skill. It’s about staying the course - the marathon, not the sprint. It’s the tortoise, not the hare. And, since it looks like we’re in for more stretches of time that require us to bolster our energy, focus, optimism, and commitment to the things that matter, I’m interested in what practices can support our ability not just to survive, but to thrive.
For expert advice, I turned to an elite athlete to see what can be learned from how he thinks and trains. Fortunately, I didn’t have to look far. I called my brother, Fred Horwood (Colby Magazine, “The Extra Mile”)! Fred is not a professional athlete, but he is an extraordinary one, competing in Iron Man races and extended marathons and bike races that boggle my mind. He gave me some great insights that I think can be nicely transferred to professional and personal settings. First, don’t focus on the end goal if it is just too far away. Break it down. Do reasonable segments of work that have healthy pauses for fueling and rest. Otherwise, you risk getting overwhelmed.
As a mindset approach, let yourself off the hook for making all of the decisions you’ll need to make along the way at the beginning. Make them at strategic intervals, allowing for course corrections. - literally and figuratively. In addition, remind yourself that you’ve done the “training” and the hard work of preparation; this allows you to go forward with confidence. And while friendly competition is helpful and can get you going, the real motivation comes from within (read: The Truth About Competition and Authenticity). As he said, “You can’t externalize satisfaction.”
Other parts of our conversation were equally resonant, like when we discussed finding time to train. I often encourage my clients to make time for exercise and contemplative practices to increase their focus, energy, and ease. So, when he commented that “time will never be there if you're looking for it – you have to make it” I nodded in vigorous agreement.
We both had the privilege of participating in Outward Bound when we were teenagers (he was way more physically prepared than I was!) and recalled the three-day solos that were a signature part of the program. To an adolescent, that’s a long time alone in the wilderness. But, when we broke it down – I’ll do this in the morning, that in the afternoon, and then this in the evening – the days were ultimately passed in unimaginable beauty and quiet. Time for writing, observing, sleeping (!) and listening opened up before us. The journey really did become the destination.
So, as we prepare for the work ahead – repairing our society, running our businesses, keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy (mentally and physically) – let’s embrace endurance as a practice of taking small but important steps every day, resting when our bodies call for it, looking only as far ahead as is necessary, and embracing the process as it has so much to teach us.
If you want to continue to explore mindset shifts and other practices to boost your energy and sense of wellbeing, why not join me and five incredible wellness exerts for the global travel company, Indagare’s, Wellness Club? This 12-session program is chock full of tools to reset and refocus in 2021. Sign up at Indagare Wellness Club. The first session is on January 26!
