97. Different pace

how doing things the same is detrimental.

When I first got into running I thought the best approach was to run my fastest every single run.

I did that for a bit and achieved some Personal Bests.

But then I plateaued.

Was this because I didn’t have the capacity to go faster?

No, it was because I didn’t have a variety that would enable me to perform consistently, be more competitive, and accomplish new goals.

We often get told to do the same thing every single day and become a master.

And I agree with that to a certain extent…

Rather than just relying on one action, you need to choose your focus and then work on it holistically rather than on the fun aspects of it.

Like a bodybuilder trains all muscles, you must train all parts of the skill.

It is still focused but just adding variety.

So for me, I don’t play basketball one day, then do football, then run. I’d never progress in anything.

No, I run every day- but I have different paces- each with its own purpose.

The consequence is that not only does my overall fitness go up, but I enjoy being able to try different workouts, and my body can rest whilst still improving. It definitely doesn't come naturally and requires effort to slow down and do things you wouldn’t usually tend to do; but practice makes everything more enjoyable.

Different paces enable the hard effort to really be hard and the gains to be made.

So be sure to make space for variety in your week, you can thank me for the PB later.

96. The past isn’t in the past

unless you want it to be.

You think you are too far gone.

You think you can’t do that.

You think you are unable to see that person.

In the words of Andy Warhol, “Perception precedes reality”.

Maybe, just maybe, your mind is playing tricks on you.

You don’t start that diet because you have never had anyone believe in you.

You don’t ask for that raise because your boss got mad at someone once.

You don’t meet up with that girl because you think she rejected someone else.

Your initial negative thoughts become the reality you live forever unless you change it. The perpetual internal dialogue never changes.

Steven Pressfield's wisdom with, “You have to start before you are ready” rings true here.

The mind is made to grow, change, and evolve, yet, stagnancy is the state people settle with.

The past remains the present and the future…

Unless you aspire to more and take action.

Recognising those prior experiences didn’t have one thing. The driven, hardworking, and determined you who is right here wanting to make a change.

It all starts with you changing your perception.

Start small and recognise the momentum you get. How you do one thing is how you do everything.

Ignore your brain for a second, stop the victimhood, and change your reality- you’ve got this.

95. The unsatisfied soul

is a good thing.

You can often shy away from negative emotions.

Sadness, anger, unsatisfaction- they are surely all negative.

And sure this can be true, but there is always more than one option.

You can choose to capitalise on that emotion.

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way”- Marcus Aurelius

Not only that- I would argue that deep dissatisfaction is a super-power.

Think about areas in your life where you hope to create change.

What do they all hold in common..? You don’t like the current state of events.

That negativity is stirring a desire for you to change your situation.

Comparatively, things that are all good and peachy are very hard to move from due to how comfortable they are.

“If there is dissatisfaction with the status quo, good. If there is ferment, so much the better. If there is restlessness, I am pleased. Then let there be ideas, hard thought, and hard work. If a man feels small, let man make himself bigger”- Hubert H. Humphrey

The dilemma in this regard comes- how do you protect yourself?

Enabling yourself to get down can lead to a path of harsh pessimism.

You could become so unsatisfied and disgruntled with the world that you become insular and removed.

I have and continue to, wrestle with this.

The only answer I have come to in regards to this is in reaching out to people.

I originally believed that hanging out with people had to be consistent with my ‘life plan' or be ‘super serious’- but actually, it is quite the opposite. As someone who is unsatisfied regularly, I often overthink the value within conversations, however, to get vulnerable and shift your perception of value through conversing with others you get to subside overriding dissatisfaction.

You don’t have to enjoy it, contribute much, or even be ‘intellectually stimulated’. Just recognise that people with their unique and different perspectives will be able to get you out of your head and not all consumed.

“Someone has a great fire in his soul and nobody ever comes to warm themselves at it, and passers-by see nothing but a little smoke at the top of the chimney and then go on their way”- Vincent Van Gogh

The encouragement with all of this is to recognise that the hardship and mental turmoil you may be feeling is not a negative thing. Instead, it is pointing to your gifts, talents, and yearning to make a great change in the world.

There, however, are times to lean into this pain and other times you simply cannot trust your brain.

You must grow in self-awareness to discern these nuances and then ask for help when needed.

Step out and utilise this unique calling, the unsatisfied soul is a good thing.

“Unhappiness and dissatisfaction with life are not signs of mental illness, but of growing intelligence”- Ken Wilber