this week
It's been a tough week but already I'm feeling good about getting through it and coming out the other side. There's been lots going on and after a while I realised that I needed to prioritise because there simply wasn't enough time in the week.
1. Keeping an eye on the big picture: what is it that matters in the longer term and what do I need to do to keep on track. My marathon is fixed in time (now less than a month away) and by skipping training it could put everything else to waste. And also a reminder that I like running and it makes me feel good and confident in tackling other things.
2. Flexibility is OK: I'm the first to need a plan, but if it's unrealistic or takes the focus off the big picture, then it's OK to change your mind. So whilst I would really like to have spent a few more hours with paintbrush in my hand I realised that I could do that later; and I have an obligation to go to work; and I want to do well in the marathon.
3. saying yes = saying no: sometimes you can't do everything (all at the same time) so once you accept that saying yes to one thing often means saying no to something else it's easier to work out if you want to take on something new in the first place.
4. making a list: when what you have to do is written down you can either scrub it off the list or commit to taking action against it. By writing something down, it makes it real, and often when it's out there it's not as bad as you think.
5. the alternative - if you have to do it all, can you do things a different way or at a different time. Be innovative and put some new ideas into practice - ask the question why not?
Still looking to raise money:
http://www.justgiving.com/The_Breakfast_Club
Published Date:
11/03/2010
Modified Date:
11/03/2010
why does it always rain on me?
It's felt like a hard week, despite flying by. We're nearly through winter, but the weather's been terrible and on most days spring has felt a long way off.
This week it's rained. Alot. And with grey skies, it's sometimes difficult to feel more than blue.
So what have I done about this:
1) remember to have fun: to enjoy people's company and not be afraid to laugh out loud.
2) to get out there: I really didn't want to race today, but by getting out there, wading through the puddles and amazingly running faster than I've ever run before, it turned into a good day.
3) let yourself off the hook: just do a little bit and you might find yourself wanting to do more. I managed to get in a good training session on Tuesday, not by looking forward to it, but by letting myself know I could stop after one lap of the park. I ended up doing the whole session and slept so well overnight that I automatically felt a bit more rosy the next day.
4) do something good for someone else: whether it's opening the door, or letting someone in the queue in front of you - even just offering a smile to a stranger, with no expectation of return you'll feel a slight warmth in your heart.
My Lent commitment to be grateful is still holding true - it has really helped to put a positive spin for myself and colleagues to encourage us through the day - so maybe this is number 5.
This week: fast, fast, fast but still holding on to a bigger picture.
Any sponsorship/donations welcome:
http://www.justgiving.com/The-Breakfast-Club
Published Date:
28/02/2010
Modified Date:
28/02/2010
the long run
Well, time to put all those things that I've written into practice. Having enjoyed a lovely, sunny, almost-spring day yesterday I woke up this morning to pounding rain and a definite breeze to contend with. To add to that, my quiet, only-one-drink, night out hadn't gone to plan so I was feeling a little bit jaded to say the least.
I was faced with the following options this morning:
1. not to run at all
2. to postpone the run
3. to decide to shorten it
4. to get out there and do it as planned
After a lot of deliberation, I knew that I had to take option 4.
I remembered what I'd done so far - all the effort and hard work, and how pleased I'd been with progress.
I thought about the end goal, and how by training today it would give me a better result on race day. And also by training today, if something comes up to prevent another run, I'll only be one down.
And we've got our first sponsorship pledges - so I really can't let people down (both those donating and those hoping to receive the donation)
And I survived (once I'd warmed up after the freezing rain) and I can share the story with the team, and hopefully inspire them to dig in when times are tough.
And the rest of the week has flown by: laughter with my work colleagues, pushing people when they think they can't do it and plodding on through the things to do list.
http://www.justgiving.com/The-Breakfast-Club
Published Date:
21/02/2010
Modified Date:
21/02/2010
winter returns
The Winter Olympics in Vancouver kicked off this week, not without its difficulties: a lack of snow on the ski slopes and mounting debt paled into insignificance after the tragedy of a Georgian luger losing his life after an accident on his final training run.
Was it because the track was dangerous, was it too hard for him? Noone will know why it happened, or if it could have been prevented, but the organisers have made the brave decision to continue with the competition (although some alterations have been made to the track).
And how will the other competitors feel. I can only imagine that having dedicated so much to the occasion, to have the chance to compete taken away from you would be a tragedy in itself.
That's dedication for you. Especially for the British team who have to find something extra to keep training and competing away from home in order to find snowy conditions. Is it the need for success, the feeling of extreme physical fitness or the search for celebrity that drives them?
Maybe it's recognising a talent and needing to share that?
As if the mock the Canadians there was more snow in England this week. Unusually the south coast got hit the hardest and for the second time this year the beach was covered, roads weren't prepared and no doubt more people slipped and slid their way about day to day business.
It was an easy week for training, which doesn't make it easy mentally. You question how pleasant it is without working hard, how there's more time to do all those things that you actually like doing and, as ever, revert to why am I doing this?
But the answer is there - because I can, because I've chosen to and because I want to do my best. It's a physical and mental challenge that will teach me how to cope with life better. I hope that I can inspire people with my actions - to make a choice about a healthy lifestyle and to learn from taking the long route: to committing to do something, without knowing the final outcome but learning that if you stick with it, you'll get the benefits.
So, this week: anything's better than nothing, look for the will to win in those around you and take up the support of friends and family (or just buy new shoes!)
I'm raisng money for the Stroke Association
Published Date:
14/02/2010
Modified Date:
14/02/2010
Celebrate Success
Fuelled by the success of a couple of training outings, I was inspried to train harder this week. When you allow yourself to look back and acknowledge achievements you will be driven to go further.
It's not a natural state of affairs, and especially for us Brits, but it's a good habit to keep.
Once you've set your goals and understand the reasons for them, make sure that you review your progress and include some context in there. If you've had a busy period at work which has taken both mental and physical energy you won't have had the time and space to focus on other activities. But still note down what you have achieved, because there'll be something you can take from it.
If you're regularly making excuses then maybe you need to reassess your goals and look at your motivation. Be inspired.
So, I've been progressing with my training plan and am seeing results. I'm running further and faster, although I'm looking forward to an "easy" week this week.
I'm not stretching enough, so that's what will be a priority for me this week - to get back in the habit (and hopefully notice the results).
Faster, frustration ongoing, but in control.
Published Date:
07/02/2010
Modified Date:
14/02/2010
running out of ideas
A slight change of focus - I'm considering motivation at the moment: what makes us do what we do? A lot of my time is right now is spent running. I'm training for the Marathon de Paris and have about 12 weeks left until race day.
However, I still need to remind myself to put my running shoes on and get out the door. And whilst I'm doing that I'm always thinking of other things that I'd prefer to do (if i had more time).
But when I'm out there I love it. It's hard, but often it's with friends and I feel good when I get home. I think the feeling good bit is more a physical thing than a psychological thing, but it all plays into the same bag.
So, as a reminder and an additional motivator I'm going to keep a record of what I'm doing, how it's going and where I get to.
This week I've followed my training schedule to the letter (well almost) and I feel tired, but can still do more. Having said that, I've put my long run off until tomorrow but i will do it.
[6.5 miles, with 3 miles fast; 5 x 5 mins fast with 2 in rests; 15 miles/2hr 15 to do tomorrow]
The rest of the team are doing well too. There's a huge amount of support, no judgement and everyone's looking forward to getting closer to race day.
I'm also thinking that I should use my "run avoidance" ideas to good effect and try and squeeze them in somewhere. So I'm back to the blog. It's not quite the first novel but it's defintiely a start.
So to try and bottle my motivation and be able to use it when i need it I'll:
- look back on what I've done
- remind myself that I enjoy it
- keep an eye on the end goal
and if I stop enjoying it, that's when it's time to change.
Time out for yourself puts things in perspective.
Published Date:
30/01/2010
Modified Date:
30/01/2010
3 weeks
Three weeks - that's how long it took for one recruitment agent to return my call to "discuss what I'm looking for". Just how much could I have made for that company in that time? Not to mention helping them to keep happy customers.
But they lost out.
So, what have they been doing? Perhaps they've been getting new clients (despite having lots of adverts), but what's the point of raising expectations if they don't know who can fill the vacancies?
Or maybe they have enough temps?
Or maybe they're just a tad inefficient, with poor customer service?
At least I should be glad I got a response. Other agencies have either not got back to me at all (despite me checking whether the online registration worked - not really - and following their instructions adn still no response).
or the other extreme - positive for first registration, talking about some new clients and certainty of placement. However on follow up, it seems that "the market's a bit quiet".
It would have saved a lot of time and effort if realistic expectations were set at the start, then everyone would be happy.
Published Date:
12/05/2008
Modified Date:
12/05/2008
looking for work...
So, after a series of unfortunate circumstances I find myself unemployed and here I am considering my options.
I'm definitely looking at this as an opportunity - a chance to take a step back from teh rat race and the undefined career that I've been fortunate enough to find myself following. It's also a chance to refresh and revive, do more hobbies and really see what's out there.
Well, that's all good in theory, but i find that I'm missing going to work - everything from the morning routine, chatting about the weekend to the small pleasure of getting home early once in a while.
Comment #1: I don't want to work on my own
With all the time on my hands I have been doing more hobbies, although it's difficult to motivate myself when it doesn't feel like a treat. I also can't seem to take it seriously enough, or consider myself "good" enough to start to generate an income. Maybe this needs more work.
Comment #2: Take hobbies more seriously
Start my own business - there is support out there to help, if only I had an idea. I'm fully aware that it doesn't have to be a groundbreaking idea - just something that's missing. I do have a few ideas, but I'm not completely convinced. There is a line of thought, that if you take steps to move towards a goal it will happen. Perhaps I just have to do that, but without an income I think I'd feel to vulnerable.
Comment #3: Trick yourself into planning around a business idea (but bear in mind comments #1 and #2)
And to bring this all together, I'm looking for an income whilst I plan my next move.
Comment #4: Get a temporary or part-time job.
Easier said than done!
Published Date:
24/04/2008
Modified Date:
24/04/2008