Week 3 Mileage: 27 miles (with 6 on the elliptical for cross training)
Long run distance: 11 miles
“Just keep swimming.”
“Crush it.”
My two running mantras. The one I use depends on how I’m feeling.
The swimming reference from Dory in Finding Nemo is my go to when I just want to stop. When I really just want to quit and take it to the house. I say it to myself often, like on our long run last week when it was blazing hot, and Drew and I both wanted to quit.
The Brad Paisley song “Crushin’ It” inspires the second one. I heard it on the way to a 15K race a few years ago when I pulled up to the starting line a mere four minutes before the race started with spit up all over me from our 3 month old. I didn’t have time to change my shirt. This run became my time. I was running solo, and it was my time to prove I could do something other than nurse, change diapers and try to find a time to actually sleep. “Crush it” ran through my mind the whole race, and I was able to PR on the course.
What primarily differentiates humans from other animals is our ability to think about our thinking. In scientific terms, it’s called metacognition. A “Think Fast” article in Runner’s World points to elite runners being masters of metacognition. They are able to self-monitor their thoughts and adjust as needed, just like emotionally intelligent leaders.
Steering thoughts away from pain or negativity and redirecting them to a singular focus is what the elites in any field do well. It helps runners run faster and leaders lead better. The article goes on to site mantras as one example of how runners can self-monitor their thinking in order to get better results.
Leaders sometimes need to push harder- run faster- and sometimes they just need to keep their heads above water- simply not giving up. Regardless of where you are now as a leader, needing to step it up or just keep up, picking a mantra can help you through your leading. This helps you focus and readjust your thoughts when we you may be getting off course.
Great quotes about Leadership can be a good start for establishing your own mantra. Or it could simply be words displayed visually in your office and internally in your mind that align with your personal and/or company values.
My two, “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.” And “Dream Big,” both hang where I see them daily. Whether it’s these, or “Just Keep Swimming” and “Crush it”, singular thoughts help me adjust or maintain focus whether on the roads or in the office.
What words and phrases do you keep handy to redirect your thinking and therefore your performance?
Go crush it today!
