#151 Letting Go

No Control

How do you handle things out of your control?  How do you work through the process?  I believe it’s important to keep at the forefront of your mind that everything we endure is for some sort of reason.  Although it may not be clear right away, you’ll know when you come out the other side.  You reach a point of, “This was worth it, and I understand now in some capacity that we had to go through those repetitions."  

New Parents

Think about this scenario… husband and wife have a new baby.  Mom’s on maternity leave, Dad is working.  Mom’s at home all day doing everything for the baby by herself.  Husband gets home and relieves Mom so she can be a normal person for a while.  If there's any void in your life, any sort of free time, it's going to fill up quick.  If your stuff at home isn't smooth, your stuff outside of home and maybe at work isn't going to be smooth.

Different Season

Having non-negotiable habits in place will help the process.  Understanding that you’re going to go through highs and lows, or different seasons, is going to help.  It’s just a fact.  And you’re going to want to fight it.  You’re going to get frustrated from time to time because things feel out of control.

Balance

Does it exist?  Yes, I believe it does.  Letting go and understanding that there is a balance to the madness is a significant part of the battle.  For example, if you just had a baby, chances are that you’re not going to sleep very much those first few months.  That’s just how it is.  Accepting this reality is a much better approach than continuously trying to fight it.  Stop trying to swim against the current.  Doing so is a huge waste of time and resources, not to mention no progress. 

High Expectations

Do you put high expectations on yourself?  Myself, along with the guys I work with, demand more out of ourselves.  Some people have a difficult time identifying with this.  Why expect more?

Prime example was when I finished lunging my 800 meters, then went to the gym.  I had this nagging feeling that I didn’t give my lunges a full effort.  What’d I do?  I went back to the track for another 800 meters.  It’s hard to articulate why I feel this strongly about personal expectations, but it’s just the way it is.

Every Day

Balance.  You must work on it every day.  It’s just like if you stop working out… the muscle will atrophy.  Is it easy?  Of course not, that’s just life.  If you never give yourself a break, you’re going to run yourself straight into the ground.  It’s just a matter of time.

Have you ever thought, "Well, I made it to the other side, so why was I worried about it the whole time?"  But then I'm like, "Well, wait a minute.  What if I wasn't worried about it and wasn't thinking about it and giving that pressure every day?  I probably wouldn't have come to the same conclusion at the end of it."  Battle the voice in your head.  Use it to your advantage, not to your detriment.