At the Moment – 52 Days Left

The moment. We all have one at least once a day. It is the moment that you make the decision, do it or quit on yourself. It is the moment when you stare at the mat on the floor before you begin your push up routine. It is the moment that you look at the path ahead of you before you start running. It is the moment when you know you need to say something to someone and now is the time. It is the moment when you decide if you are going to eat that second bowl of Chocolate Covered Frosted Sugar Bombs or not. We all have the moment, and I am pretty sure you all know exactly what I am talking about.

When you are in the moment, nothing from your past matters. You are an accumulation of all your experiences, and your triumphs define you. However, in that moment you are nothing. Does not matter what position you hold, what title you have, what culture you are from, what your religion is, or how much net worth you have. In that moment you are alone. Just you and that primal voice urging you to quit. So what are you going to do in that moment? That is the decision that defines you. That is the decision that makes the difference between those that succeed in their dreams and those that do not.

What I have learned is to not think about it too long. In fact, try not to think at all. Just do it. Make the decision ahead of time and give yourself no out. The decision has been made, you are doing it anyway. Now tell that other voice that comes from that self-preservation instinct to shut the bleep up. Time to get after it. Do what you have committed to.

Oh. I know. Give yourself 5 seconds and you will come up with an excuse. I had one this morning. Bit of bad news, disappointment at work, stress already creeping in at 5am. Yeah, I could claim that I have to get to work right now and fix this urgent problem, that today is special. Today I do not need to work out, to run, to keep my other personal commitments. Instead of dwelling on that excuse thought, I let it just float there AS I put on my shoes. It hangs out there for a minute or two AS I tighten the laces, set my watch correctly, stretch a few muscles. Yeah the thought is still hanging out but by this time, I am 1 mile in and by the time that has happened my primal whinny excuse brain has given up. It is now on to new tactics. You forgot to bring your phone, turn back! You forgot some music to listen to, turn back! You forgot to send an email yesterday, turn back!

Well I do not turn back, I just let those thoughts hang out and move on. Decision has already been made. I am going whether that part of myself likes it or not. That part of myself better get back to its real job which is to watch out for cars and other dangers. So beating that part of yourself is important, you start to overcome it when you make that decision at the moment.

So you will have that moment today. You will know precisely when it occurs because it always does, in fact many times. Perhaps you have made the wrong decision so many times that those moments are not as defined – but they are still there. I know they are. So I hope this is a good reminder. Make the decision fast. Do what you know you must, what you should, what you really want to do and do it quickly. Rip the band aid off and get past the initial resistance. That is the art of overcoming mind. You will get better at it over time.

Still a struggle for me, everyday. However, it has got better with time. As I have built mind calluses against the negativity that tries to sway me away from my commitments. You will get stronger, but you will still have challenges. That is what growth is all about. So go forth today and stare that moment down and choose the correct path. The one that your future self will be proud of.

Guy Reams (501)
365 Alumni
52 Days Left to 1st Marathon

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Ben

7 years ago

Awesome post Guy. That moment is the key, and I love how you descibed having that experience today. Inspired me 🙂

Ben

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