1% Better

After a short running hiatus (due to experimenting with other forms of movement) I’ve returned to running only to be totally HUMBLED.

Firstly, I’m running for only 20-25 minutes at a time, 3 times per week. It’s been super slow AND super hard.I’m nowhere near where I used to be. Or where I want to be.

So, I’ve had to meet my body where it’s at. I’ve had to take small baby steps in full confidence that these small steps will allow me to achieve big things in 2, 3 and 6 months time.

You see, my problem is that I often try to aim for perfection. I want to feel good and be an amazing runner right from the get-go. But this isn’t realistic.

As you know, if you aim for perfection, you’ll quickly be disappointed.

So instead, I’ve been aiming for 1% better each day. Progress. How?

By making consistently small improvements. My runs will slowly start to get longer. I’m eating better. I’m planning better.I’m sweating the small “easy” stuff. Like getting early nights. Sticking to my strength training schedule. Including mobility work every week. And allowing my body to recover between runs.

I’m fighting for tiny gains.

Because that’s the thing with doing the small, “easy” stuff- it’s also easy not to do.

For example, missing my strength training today or tomorrow isn’t a big deal. Maybe if I miss it next week it won’t make much of a difference either. But if I keep skipping my strength training for the next 12 months I’ll be an injured 40+ year old wannabe runner visiting the physio every week wondering where I went wrong.

Where would this problem have started? It would’ve started today, by overlooking something that was easy to do but also easy not to do. Get my drift?

I recently read about “kaizen”- the Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement. It’s not just applicable to business. It can apply to all areas of life- health, fitness, relationships.1% better each day. It takes time, investment and belief.This leads to forward momentum. This is what Teresa Amabile, researcher and professor, says about small wins and forward momentum-

‍“Small wins matter more because they are so much more likely to occur compared to the big wins. If we waited for the big wins, we would be waiting for a long time. And we would probably quit long before we see anything tangible come to fruition. What you need instead of the big wins is simply the forward momentum that small wins bring.”

‍Mind. Blown.

How wise. And balanced.

So, that’s where I’m at with my training. Small steps every day. I can slowly start to see improvement and I’m feeling better and more confident as I begin to create the above mentioned forward momentum.

My advice to you today?

Create some forward momentum. It doesn’t have to be big.

Forward momentum creates confidence and a sense that you’re moving toward your bigger goal.

What small improvements will you make today? Celebrate those small wins! Remember 1% better each day!

If you'd like to start creating some forward momentum with yours truly, purchase an online membership here.