70 hour weeks with a couple of 16 hour days thrown in. Sitting at the bedside of a very ill family member for days on end. Facing an empty bank account and bills that keep on coming. Realizing that we have at least another month of work on a project that is due next week. Being jolted awake by the sound of your car tires hitting the rumble strip on the side of the highway.
These are examples of some of the headwinds that our body may face. They, among a host of others, challenge our physical stamina and abilities. They cause doubt and fear to rise from deep within. When faced with these difficult headwinds, most of us remember words such as those below.
“Set forth no limits, keep in mind that your potential is boundless.”
― Sal Martinez
“There are no limits to what you can do. You are only limited by your thoughts.”
― Debasish Mridha
These come from the “lean-in-and-push-on-through” school of thought. When the headwinds blow we lean in and work harder. Why? Because there are no limits to what we can do if we have the will power. It is one aspect of the power of positive thinking movement that has become a cornerstone of pop psychology and modern motivational coaching.
Unfortunately, this is founded on a false premise. There are limits. Our bodies cannot take unlimited abuse. They do break down. If we are lucky these breakdowns happen sooner rather than later so that we can back-off before we do permanent damage. Unfortunately, our bodies are very resilient and we may not experience the breakdown until we have permanently damaged our body. There are physical limits and they can cause lasting harm.
However, this does not mean we have to live our lives cushioned from every discomfort or avoiding pushing our stamina or physical capacities. It simply means we have to pay attention to the limits. We have to know ourselves and the boundaries that are part of who we are.
Marathon Runners report that after the initial high of running, the body begins to tire. They have learned to run through this period because the body will replenish the energy from stored reserves. However, these reserves cannot be replaced. When these reserves begin to run out the body fights to keep going. This causes irreparable harm. The successful marathoner knows their body well enough to be able to distinguish between the first “wall” from the second more dangerous wall.
This principle applies to all of the scenarios above. Some folks are able to sustain 70 work weeks for a short time. But, in time, it will begin to effect the quality of their work and the rest of their lives. After several weeks of being at their bedside resentment begins to creep into their inner conversation. When the money runs out before the bills they can either start using their high interest credit cards like cash or they can sit down with a financial planner and find a better path. When the due date is a lot closer than the completion date they will need to find ways to adjust both or walk away from the project all together. When the rumble strip interrupts their unintended nap, they can force their eyes open and grip the steering wheel tighter or pull over and get some rest.
Unless we push ourselves to and through the first wall, we will never know what we can do. But pushing ourselves to and beyond that second wall will turn out badly. There are limits. Learn yours and know when to slow down.
These are examples of some of the headwinds that our body may face. They, among a host of others, challenge our physical stamina and abilities. They cause doubt and fear to rise from deep within. When faced with these difficult headwinds, most of us remember words such as those below.
“Set forth no limits, keep in mind that your potential is boundless.”
― Sal Martinez
“There are no limits to what you can do. You are only limited by your thoughts.”
― Debasish Mridha
These come from the “lean-in-and-push-on-through” school of thought. When the headwinds blow we lean in and work harder. Why? Because there are no limits to what we can do if we have the will power. It is one aspect of the power of positive thinking movement that has become a cornerstone of pop psychology and modern motivational coaching.
Unfortunately, this is founded on a false premise. There are limits. Our bodies cannot take unlimited abuse. They do break down. If we are lucky these breakdowns happen sooner rather than later so that we can back-off before we do permanent damage. Unfortunately, our bodies are very resilient and we may not experience the breakdown until we have permanently damaged our body. There are physical limits and they can cause lasting harm.
However, this does not mean we have to live our lives cushioned from every discomfort or avoiding pushing our stamina or physical capacities. It simply means we have to pay attention to the limits. We have to know ourselves and the boundaries that are part of who we are.
Marathon Runners report that after the initial high of running, the body begins to tire. They have learned to run through this period because the body will replenish the energy from stored reserves. However, these reserves cannot be replaced. When these reserves begin to run out the body fights to keep going. This causes irreparable harm. The successful marathoner knows their body well enough to be able to distinguish between the first “wall” from the second more dangerous wall.
This principle applies to all of the scenarios above. Some folks are able to sustain 70 work weeks for a short time. But, in time, it will begin to effect the quality of their work and the rest of their lives. After several weeks of being at their bedside resentment begins to creep into their inner conversation. When the money runs out before the bills they can either start using their high interest credit cards like cash or they can sit down with a financial planner and find a better path. When the due date is a lot closer than the completion date they will need to find ways to adjust both or walk away from the project all together. When the rumble strip interrupts their unintended nap, they can force their eyes open and grip the steering wheel tighter or pull over and get some rest.
Unless we push ourselves to and through the first wall, we will never know what we can do. But pushing ourselves to and beyond that second wall will turn out badly. There are limits. Learn yours and know when to slow down.
TIPS - Know and Listen to Thyself
Learn your limits by listening to your body. Discover the signs of when you are tired and when you are exhausted. How does your mood change when you become exhausted? What about your ability to concentrate? How do you deal with minor physical ailments like colds or turned ankles? How does having people around you make you feel? How are you able to deal with disappointments or setbacks? Is the pain merely tolerable is does it take a great deal of your concentration and energy to cope with it? Each of these may indicate that you are reaching your point of exhaustion. Everyone is different so we each have to learn these from the only teacher we have, our own body.
Push the boundary but watch out for signs that you have reached your limits. Just knowing our limits will not help unless we have the discipline to listen and act responsibly with that information. As the old song goes, “Know when to hold’em and know when to fold’em” is only the first step. Sometimes we will try and push through that second wall because of our ego, a misplaced sense of competition, a lack of clarity about what is truly important, a need to please someone else, or a need to risk it all in order to feel worthwhile. Our reasons can be many. We really do not have to know why. All that is required is to accept the evidence of our body and do what is best for it.
Having a personal trainer or trusted friend to help you see when you reach your limits. Most successful athletes trace their success to a coach or coaches. The good coach is concerned about the athletes success in the long run. They do not push them farther than is healthy or sustainable. Having a coach or a trusted friend to help you discover your limitations and act responsibly with that information can and will make all the difference. They will “see” things you miss and will help you hold yourself accountable for your goals, hopes, and dreams.
Physically, we are our body. It has limits. By discovering these boundaries we will be able to know when to lean in and push on as well as when slow down and allow our body to heal. Take good care of your body. Your life depends on it!
Bob
Push the boundary but watch out for signs that you have reached your limits. Just knowing our limits will not help unless we have the discipline to listen and act responsibly with that information. As the old song goes, “Know when to hold’em and know when to fold’em” is only the first step. Sometimes we will try and push through that second wall because of our ego, a misplaced sense of competition, a lack of clarity about what is truly important, a need to please someone else, or a need to risk it all in order to feel worthwhile. Our reasons can be many. We really do not have to know why. All that is required is to accept the evidence of our body and do what is best for it.
Having a personal trainer or trusted friend to help you see when you reach your limits. Most successful athletes trace their success to a coach or coaches. The good coach is concerned about the athletes success in the long run. They do not push them farther than is healthy or sustainable. Having a coach or a trusted friend to help you discover your limitations and act responsibly with that information can and will make all the difference. They will “see” things you miss and will help you hold yourself accountable for your goals, hopes, and dreams.
Physically, we are our body. It has limits. By discovering these boundaries we will be able to know when to lean in and push on as well as when slow down and allow our body to heal. Take good care of your body. Your life depends on it!
Bob
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