Change Your Focus, Change Your Life
On March 15th, I will be in San Diego, CA for the Superseal Triathlon. While this is hardly my first triathlon, the amount of training, effort and dedication that it takes to complete one of these excruciating events always takes its toll on my body and mind.
Some days, it can be especially difficult to become motivated to train for an Ironman. I’m sure that you’d want a break from constantly eating healthy and running for miles, even just for a day. Fortunately, I have mentally prepared myself for the challenges ahead and am able to shut up the voice in my head telling me to go easy or quit.
This mental ability to shift focus and stay dedicated to the completion of a difficult task has taken me years to master. But believe me when I tell you, once you are able to stay laser-focused on achieving your goals, anything is possible. Here are some tips for mentally overcoming obstacles and training your mind to think differently during distressing situations.
Shift your focus & be honest with yourself
When I began training for my upcoming triathlon, the toughest hurdle for me to get over was the temperature of the water during the swimming section. Now, I’ve completed over a dozen triathlons and the shock of jumping into cold water always made me hesitant of my abilities and put doubt in my mind. I knew that this time around, I had to master the frigid temperatures and dominate the swim.
So what did I do to become more comfortable in the cold water? I shifted the focus in my head and told myself that instead of the water being cold, it was refreshing. By realizing that the refreshing water increased my awareness and boosted my energy levels, I was able to forget about the cold temperatures and focus on the task at hand.
When shifting focus, it’s important to stay honest and truthful with yourself. Note that I didn’t tell myself that the water was warm, as that would be a lie and I’d go right back to shivering and wanting to get out. By finding the right narrative, you can accomplish nearly anything and are able to tell that voice inside your head that you are good and strong enough to complete any challenge.
Be the success story of your dreams
Success is an interesting word that is misunderstood by many people. Everyone has a different definition of what a success looks like, which creates uncertainty when thinking about ourselves as successful individuals. I’ve talked to multiple millionaires who’ve told me that they are unsuccessful and consider themselves failures. Think about that for a second. Imagine having millions of dollars and still believing that you’ve failed.
I’m here to tell you that I believe that you are successful. While you might not be an expert at what you’re hoping to achieve right now, you are a living human in the year 2020 and are striving to be a better person. That alone makes your story a success and it’s up to you to give yourself the happy ending of your dreams.
To achieve this, ask yourself the following questions:
- Who am I right now?
- Who do I want to become?
- What do I want to achieve?
By truthfully answering these questions, you can put yourself on the path towards success. Don’t let past failures or distractions cloud your judgment on what you can accomplish in the future. You are the only one standing in your way, so take action and succeed on your own terms.
Hopefully these tips will keep you focused on being successful and help to achieve any goals you wish to overcome. For more information, check out my book, The Origin of Opportunity. Now, back to training on the bike 🚲.