Brad, I was thinking about precisely this during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. I’d been sick, injured my ankle during training, and knew before the starting gun that this wouldn’t be my best race.
But that wasn’t why I was there.
Somewhere along those 26.2 miles, I found myself reflecting on the difference between performing under ideal conditions and remaining faithful to a commitment when those conditions disappear.
Your point about self-efficacy is especially important. We develop confidence through lived evidence that we can meet difficult circumstances without needing everything to feel right first.
Of course, there’s wisdom in knowing when to stop. But there’s also a danger in making our internal state the final authority over what we’re willing to attempt.
I finished my third World Marathon Major that day. The clock recorded one thing; the experience taught me something far more valuable.
Sometimes the achievement is simply discovering that the person you intended to become is already there, doing the work.
I think it's helpful to think of being in the right frame of mind or having the right conditions as being like a tailwind. It's a bonus, something to take advantage of when you have it, rather than something you require to get on with the work.
Another analogy I like is that of the difference between an amateur and a professional. When you are a pro, you train so that you can perform at a high level even when conditions are not right. Whereas the amateur hopes for the right conditions as they can only reach that same high level when things are in their favour.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve set lots of PRs early in the morning after a bad night of sleep. And I’ve had great nights of sleep, show up to the gym bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and just didn’t have it.
more than I can count! There's a section in The Way of Excellence that is all about "not pre-judging the lift based on the warmup." It's a metaphor for anything in life, of course.
Brad, I was thinking about precisely this during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. I’d been sick, injured my ankle during training, and knew before the starting gun that this wouldn’t be my best race.
But that wasn’t why I was there.
Somewhere along those 26.2 miles, I found myself reflecting on the difference between performing under ideal conditions and remaining faithful to a commitment when those conditions disappear.
Your point about self-efficacy is especially important. We develop confidence through lived evidence that we can meet difficult circumstances without needing everything to feel right first.
Of course, there’s wisdom in knowing when to stop. But there’s also a danger in making our internal state the final authority over what we’re willing to attempt.
I finished my third World Marathon Major that day. The clock recorded one thing; the experience taught me something far more valuable.
Sometimes the achievement is simply discovering that the person you intended to become is already there, doing the work.
Congratulations on the marathon finish!
I love this, Brad! Feeling off and showing up anyway is how so much good work actually gets done. The Get Back scene is the perfect example.
Thank you!
I think it's helpful to think of being in the right frame of mind or having the right conditions as being like a tailwind. It's a bonus, something to take advantage of when you have it, rather than something you require to get on with the work.
Another analogy I like is that of the difference between an amateur and a professional. When you are a pro, you train so that you can perform at a high level even when conditions are not right. Whereas the amateur hopes for the right conditions as they can only reach that same high level when things are in their favour.
well said!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve set lots of PRs early in the morning after a bad night of sleep. And I’ve had great nights of sleep, show up to the gym bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and just didn’t have it.
more than I can count! There's a section in The Way of Excellence that is all about "not pre-judging the lift based on the warmup." It's a metaphor for anything in life, of course.
For sure. Loved the book, and recommended it to many.