The Runner's Mindset

Pursuing significant life goals is akin to running a marathon—it only ends once you cross the finish line and refuse to give up. It requires immense dedication, realistic goal-setting, and a "no-excuses" mindset.

The thought of tackling big goals can make your ego anxious or leave you feeling vulnerable. It’s all too easy to retreat back into your comfort zone, where everything feels warm and cozy. Without a solid strategy, that's exactly what is likely to happen.

Here’s the approach I use when I need to clear my mind and put in the effort required to achieve my aspirations—whether that involves running or writing.

Step 1: Set Realistic Goals and Deadlines

If you’re new to running, signing up for a triathlon isn’t the best starting point. Getting out of a funk is challenging, so don’t complicate it further.

In my marathon training, my first run was a 5K. I established a deadline and set a date to complete it. Without that timeline, I might still be hoping to run a 5K someday! After completing my 5K, I felt ready to tackle a half-marathon, so I set a realistic date for that goal too.

When you’re trying to break out of a rut, allow yourself some grace. If writing your dream book seems daunting, set a smaller target, such as 10,000 words a month or 60,000 words in six months. If you’re struggling to find a topic, start with three ideas that come to mind.

Keep it simple! Remind yourself daily of this target. It fosters hope, provides a clear aim, and helps you see what is possible. Most importantly, it reinforces who is in control.

Step 2: Break Goals into Manageable Tasks

If I find it hard to focus on work, prepare a meal, or get to the gym, I know I can’t force myself to run 5K every day. I must break down my larger goals into smaller, achievable tasks.

A lack of motivation often arises from not seeing a direct link between your actions and desired outcomes. Strengthening this connection is crucial. For example, making your bed is a scientifically proven productivity booster.

Pursuing big objectives is energizing, but it can also feel overwhelming. Determine the pace you need to maintain today to achieve your goals for tomorrow.

When I committed to running a half-marathon, I spent several weeks training with 10K runs. I printed beginner running schedules and hung them on my wardrobe door. I tracked the miles, rest days, and alternative workouts I needed to complete weekly, leading up to race day, which was 12 weeks away.

If I only imagined myself on race day, crossing the finish line, I would feel excited but also overwhelmed, uncertain of how to get there.

If your goal is to write a book, don’t worry about finding an agent or submitting an 80,000-word manuscript right away. Focus on writing a few hundred words daily instead. If launching a business is your objective, don’t get bogged down in the minutiae of elaborate pitch decks.

Once you’ve established a realistic target in Step 1, reverse engineer it to identify the smaller goals you need to accomplish in Step 2.

Step 3: Regularly Review Your Progress

One major reason New Year’s resolutions fail is that people start with grand ambitions but never revisit their goals. This often leads to disappointment when they realize they’ve fallen off track.

If corporations conduct quarterly reviews, why not schedule monthly check-ins for your personal goals?

Running a half-marathon involves more than just the act of running. Factors like sleep, hydration, recovery, and nutrition all play significant roles. I kept a log of my routines to track my successes and setbacks, giving me a holistic view of my performance.

Did you meet your running goal for the week? How challenging was it to hit your daily writing target? Regular reviews allow you to reflect on your actions and understand what is working and what isn’t.

There will always be setbacks and distractions, but these reviews help you identify where you might be losing momentum.

Step 4: Optimize for Better Performance

What’s the point of measuring your performance if you aren’t going to refine it based on your findings? If you’re consistently hitting your milestones, analyze what’s driving that success.

However, it's unlikely everything will be going perfectly. There’s always room for improvement!

Re-evaluate your baseline. As Albert Einstein famously said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Perhaps you need new running gear, a rest day, or better scheduling in your routine. Reassess what’s working, amplify it, and eliminate what isn’t.

If writing 500 words daily feels too rigid, allow yourself to draft stories, connect with other writers, and take rejuvenating walks. Adjust your daily target to something more achievable and see how it affects your progress.

When striving to lift yourself from a rut, the last thing you want is to slip back into it because your methods are ineffective.

Step 5: Solidify Your Purpose—What Truly Matters?

Always remember, you are fighting for the future version of yourself—the one you aspire to become. It’s essential to keep in mind why you started this journey, as your success today shapes your future self.

This is why visualization techniques and vision boards have become popular—they offer a tangible representation of what is often just an abstract thought.

Define why your goal matters. Is it about fulfilling a childhood dream, making your family proud, or positively impacting the world? Focus on what truly matters and what’s at stake if you remain in your current rut.

Consider how it would feel to fast forward to 2025 and see that you have written a book, completed a half-marathon, or launched a business.

Escaping a rut is challenging, but the journey can lead to extraordinary achievements.

The first video titled "I Fixed Super-Charging! You won't believe how!" discusses innovative solutions to enhance your productivity and motivation.

The second video, "How to EASILY Build Self-Discipline And Finally be Productive," provides practical tips on developing self-discipline for achieving your goals.

In conclusion, breaking free from a rut is not just possible; it's a journey worth embarking on. Let these principles guide you toward a more productive and fulfilling life.