Watching the London Marathon this weekend, as
always, I was inspired by the occasion, the spirit of
the participants and the spectators, and also by
some of the extraordinary individual stories of people
overcoming incredible adversity just to be on the
starting line.
Unfortunately, over the next day or two following the
marathon I was left with a feeling of complete loss of
energy and motivation. After a period of resisting
and fighting the
feeling, today I decided to succumb to it, accept it
and look at what lesson might be there for me.
I realised that running really makes me feel alive.
There are other things that make me feel alive in a
different way, such as coaching, singing, reading
inspiring books, listening to music and spending time
with family and friends. But there is something
unique that I get from running. It's a feeling of every
cell in my body being alive and tingling that makes
me want to do things that stretch my comfort zone.
Nothing else gives me that feeling in the same way.
I know that I would have never left the safety of full-
time employment for the freelance market back in my
days in computing if I had not been a runner.
I would also have never left the corporate world
(again) of sales and marketing for the complete
unknown quantity of starting a coaching business
had I not been a runner.
It has been 7 weeks now since I was advised by my
doctor not to run due to my stress fracture.
However, I realise that my acceptance of the
situation has really been the grudging acceptance of
a victim rather than joyful acceptance.
So today, I have scheduled a follow up appointment
with my doctor for a review and I have also promised
myself that I will go swimming tomorrow and look at
new bicycles before the end of the week.
I now feel in control of the situation and doing what
is in my circle of influence to bring about an early
return to generating the aliveness that running and
exercise can bring. And, you know what, I already
feel that my energy level is starting to creep up.
What makes you feel really alive?
Whatever it is, are you doing it on a regular basis?
If not, do something now to change that.
If yes, is there something that you'd love to do
to
take your level of "aliveness" to the next level?
If so, do it now. Don't wait for the right
opportunity. You will always find reasons and
excuses why now isn't quite the right time, but
remember the time you invest in what brings you
really alive increases the quality of
everything else
you do in your life.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this coaching tip
why not forward it to a friend or colleague? Next
issue on May 31st.
Until next time,