What is the biggest determining factor in whether or not you achieve your goals? If you guessed attitude, you’re absolutely right.
As a fitness coach who specializes in transforming “everyday” people into athletes who complete extraordinary goals and challenges, I can without a doubt say that a positive attitude is that extra gear that drives them to the finish line—and beyond. This is why ATTITUDE is the first of the four important attributes I teach my clients.
As a coach, I don’t just talk the talk; I walk the walk—in 200-plus-mile distances.
IT WASN’T ALWAYS THIS WAY.
Like many of you, I had to start somewhere, and my attitude wasn’t always positive.
I remember the first time I ran six miles, it felt like the worst experience of my life. I was tired, everything hurt, and I was wondering why anyone would do this. Interestingly enough, that very same day, I was wondering if I could go farther than six miles. I began to forget the pain and started focusing on how good it felt to accomplish my goal.
If you had told me then that I would be running 300 miles across some of the wildest terrain found on earth, I would have thought you were crazy. But it just slowly snowballed into a little bit farther and a little bit farther. That shift in focus from the negative to the positive lit something inside me. I started quite literally chasing the feeling of accomplishment, knowing that with every step forward, I would be one step closer to my next goal.
BUT WHAT IF YOU DON’T KNOW YOU CAN REACH YOUR GOAL?
Each goal starts with an “I wonder if I can” thought or statement. Believe it or not, this statement is your first step toward achieving your goal. And just one step past wonder becomes belief, and belief will carry you farther than you ever thought possible.
I often think of a pitcher closing their eyes and visualizing the catcher’s mitt before they throw the ball. Likewise, if you are a runner, can you see yourself crossing the finish line? Can you see yourself on the podium? Can you picture yourself receiving that medal or achieving the goal you’re trying to obtain? That visualization exercise is an exercise in belief. It’s a way to get yourself excited for the goal ahead, and that excitement can shift your attitude in a positive direction.
BUT HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE?
I often get asked how I maintain a positive attitude during my 200-300 mile distance races, even when times get hard—because times do get hard. I will often joke that I’m out there solving all the world’s problems, but the reality is, I am working hard on the good old power of distraction.
I remember one time during a race, I was really struggling. It was at night, and I often listen to music at night to lift my spirits. This particular time, music just wasn’t cutting it, so I was shuffling through some things I had downloaded, and I came across some stand-up comedy. I started listening and immediately, my mind was engaged. I started laughing at all the jokes, and instantly, my breathing slowed down. I ran more relaxed; my energy increased, all because of the shift in my attitude of being joyful and happy. I was having fun, and I realized that this actually produced physical energy within my body.
On the flip side, if you start to think negative thoughts, you actually feel stressed and drained and weak and tired. The body responds to what the mind is actively working through.
When I start to get down on myself and those negative thoughts turn into a negative attitude, it changes the way I hold my body. And instead of moving forward, I start to stand still and mentally move backward. I begin thinking about all the reasons I shouldn’t be here or why I’m not good enough. My pains, which were only bothering me a little, now hurt more. The miles that I was counting down seem to be getting longer. 10 miles left in the race might as well be 100 when I get into this mindset.
There will be times when you’re going to hit the struggle bus and things aren’t going to go your way. Approaching those challenges with a joyful outlook on life or a positive attitude will be a key factor in getting back on the road and running smoothly.
BUT WHAT IF I FAIL?
Failure happens even with the most positive of attitudes. I have had my share of failures, including several races where I’ve had to make the difficult decision to tap out and accept the dreaded DNF
(did not finish).
I have had to sit with my disappointments and in a pile of negative energy because it’s all part of the process. But, the thing about negative energy is that it can work effectively with positive energy as it’s channeled into a drive that is even more power-charged than before. Just think about a battery that needs both negative and positive charges to power a machine. Jumper cables are both positive and negative, and with both, the seemingly lifeless car starts again.
Don’t be afraid of failing. Don’t be afraid of feeling those negative feelings, but make sure to pair them with the positive ones so that you can have all the energy you need to reach your destination.
If you have a destination in mind and you would like me to help you get there, contact me on Instagram
@adventure.your.potential or visit my website adventureyourpotential.com
