Challenge yourself to feel 'the flow of confidence' :-)

After a couple of weeks with a severe lack of training - due to injury and our sweltering Melbourne heat  wave(which is most definitely not the ideal preparation for a big race in a week and halves time!!), I have found myself with a wandering mind...


It's funny how when you stop doing the things that seem to give you confidence, your mind starts to feel as if it is unable to complete the things that should come easy to you.

I haven't been able to run or ride as much as I would have liked to. As a result, I have had more rest days than normal. Each of these rest days, in my mind, acts as a form of 'defeat'. I feel as if I am unable to do everyday tasks, achieve what I want to be achieving in my career, unable to complete the half ironman goal I set for myself (which - up until a couple of weeks ago, felt somewhat attainable!), unsure about the direction I am heading in life....confidence plays a very big role in our ability to take on larger tasks.

During a hard swim or run session, it is as if my body has to demonstrate to my mind that it is suitable and up to any upcoming challenges.
And when my body does what I want it to - I feel as if I am ready to take on a new challenge again! It's as if our mind has to interview or body, and occasionally, the other way around, to ensure that it is capable of being 'at one' with the other.
Being able to connect the two - mind and body, makes you a far stronger person.

A recent article in 'Runners world magazine', (p.74 - 77), suggests that being able to feel a sense of 'flow', where our body (or skill level - such a running, or completing a task at work) is matched with the level of challenge, makes us forget all of the little 'troubles' in our lives. For a period of time, we feel clear headed, confident and with a sense of growth and satisfaction. This 'flow' is what people, particularly high achievers become addicted to, and understandably!!

So how can we keep this so-called 'flow', allowing us to feel awesome and accomplished more often?

1) Set yourself a goal (Remember, we have to make something challenging for our 'skills'; not too difficult to cause anxiety, and not too easy to cause boredom).
2) Focus on the moment. Take the time to look around you, feel what your body/mind is doing rather than the extra large 'to do list' sitting on your fridge at home.
3) Focus on something that you can control. For example, as much as you like - you can't control everything.  So, the reaction of others, relationships or employment may be a little unreasonable to focus on all the time - think about your response, your actions, your own goals.
4) The more effort you put into your goal - generally the better result, and the resulting more regular 'flow' will occur. So 'go and get them girl!'.

Giving yourself challenging, but attainable goals is a brilliant and proven way to improve your confidence. Be it a physical, mental, family, workplace, academic or travel goal - the feeling of 'flow' you get from reaching it, or even knowing that you're getting closer to your goal will improve your confidence. It amazingly has a ripple effect on your outlook on life and gives you the confidence to try new challenges, or push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Xxx

Getting through the frustration of injuries or life events......

I now know how it feels to be stuck, patiently waiting for an injury to heal. Mind you - my injury is merely a deep, open blister in the very annoying and useful position of the instep of my foot arch, but none the same, it is frustrating, disappointing and making me feel abnormally anxious!!!

I had been training for the last few months consistently and to a slowly increasing level of kilometres and strength in my chosen sport (even though I still very much class myself in the 'recreational' but 'love it to bits' classification of triathlon).

I turned up ready to fire for my first race of the season; for which I was hopeful of being able to fare better than in previous years. As I unpack my gear bag and lay out my items of clothing and fuel at the transition area, I realise I have forgotten a valuable item of clothing; my socks. Convincing myself that this would be no major issue, I continued on through the race as if everything was going to work out fine.
Was I wrong! Sliding my bike into it's well deserved rest after the 40kilometre ride around St. Kilda's bay area, I slip on my runners, throw on my visor and off I run out to the last leg of the morning.


Five minutes in to the Forty minute run - the rubbing begins. By the time I hit the twenty minute mark, I can feel the soft, bare skin underneath my arch getting thinner, sticking to the bottom of my shoe and pulling a little more of the fragile layer of skin off my poor foot. Did it hurt? Absolutely!!! Was I going to stop? No way!!!
I continued aiming to catch every female ahead of me, focussing on each as a small goal to keep my mind from wandering back to the pain in my foot. Until finally - the finish line was in sight and I could finally kick off my favourite Nike frees like the Karate kid when he fought in the concluding fight of the film, minus the focussing moment of 'wax on wax off' before he completes his winning move!!

That annoying blister and need to finish the race has left me stuck with an infected, swollen and very agitated left foot all week. On top of a record week of heat -my friends have told me I have been a little on the 'angry' side this week......and I somewhat agree!

This lead me to think about how we can get through injuries that stop us from training, or doing the things we enjoy most - that tend to keep us sain. I discovered, as most of you can relate I am sure, that when you take away the one thing that keeps me motivated, feeling a sense of achievement, being free from restlessness or anxiety, escaping any trace of depression, taking something which may mean you have to change your goals or plans for the upcoming months or simply just your escape from the fast paced and sometimes societal pressured world around us.


So - before you rip some poor un-expecting friend or family members head off with a short fused backhand of a comment, consider trying he following strategies to get you through the recovery period....

- Try another form of exercise. If the physical nature of exercise is what burns that extra nervous/anxious energy, why not give something else a go. There is a range of activities available both indoors and outdoors, competitive and recreational which can focus on different areas of you 'injured zone'. If you have hurt your ankle, why not focus on getting those 'wash board abdominals' or toned upper arm muscles? Strengthening any supporting muscles (such as your glutes or core) now can save you getting another injury in the future.

- Reach out to family and friends. use the extra time to catch up and spend extra time with the friends you struggle to see when you get so caught up with other commitments, invite your family over for a dinner party or picnic, try out that awesome new café or shop to your hearts content to fill in the extra hours.


- Talk to people who have been through similar situations. It's surprising how simply having someone who has been through the same thing can have the effect of making you understand and feel as if you are going to get through it. They often have great ideas to keep you entertained - tried and tested!


- If you have the time, book a short getaway, either with friends or fly solo!

- Take up a new hobby. Why not try writing, cooking, learning a new language or if you're feeling really adventurous, have a go at setting up your own small business, or extra study; now they will keep you occupied!

- If you feel yourself getting anxious, why not try meditation, yoga or simply going outside for some fresh air and to gain some perspective on the situation. Sometimes it feels like you're a boiling pot of hit water, when it just takes a moment to step your mind outside of its situation and look around at the world still continuing on.


- If you had to alter your goals. So be it. You know what? You're going to want it more when you get back to your 'picture of health' , and will be a force to be reckoned with knowing that you're now also equipped with a stronger and more motivated mindset. Unfinished business is a powerful tool when times get tough!


Just try to keep your mind occupied. The more you sit around, the more you will find yourself thinking about the situation and that growing little ball of frustration inside of you will be tempted to want to explode!!!


Good luck Gorgeous Girls!
xxx

A new year - Reflecting on a better you :-)

So you made it to 2014 (relatively) unscathed and ready to attack another year with 'gusto'!

The beginning of the new year brings with it resolutions and new ideas, some so big that leave you feeling as if you couldn't possibly fathom to write everything down in an ordered and well-planned list.
Resolutions are a great way to take a closer look at the life you are living and perhaps plan to make some changes to make it better. But is it relevant if you haven't really given yourself some time to reflect on your life; your achievements, your fears, dreams, goals, new interests or dislikes?

I know that the iconic New years eve and New years day festivities are starting to come to a close - as we recover from the heavy celebrations. However, if you have not done so already, take a moment to really think about your life and all of the trials and triumphs which you dealt with in 2013.
Write it all down, draw a picture, create a photo board or have a chat with a close friend or family member'.

When I look back on the year that I have had - it has probably been one of the biggest learning curves I am yet to have. My year consisted of such highs, such lows, and so many moments of feeling a little 'lost' in the big world.

I lost a job and gained a job, I had a relationship slowly melt away while I found new light in the company of others more than ever before, I travelled the world, studied, had a 'mini - career change', I witnessed the marriage of two close friends, found and re-kindled my relationships with my 'soul mate' friends.......but I also found myself and appreciate who I am, what I have achieved over the years and look forward knowing that I will continue to achieve and learn new things in future years.

I have learnt that although life is not always filled with roses, I regret nothing and know that I have become a stronger person for each of these.
I have seen my strengths and weakness' as a person and will not only work on improving these, but also accept the things about me that make me the person that I am.

So if you have not done this already - take some time to sit and think about your life - every little part of it. I guarantee as you sit back and actually think about these things, the low parts seem to be a lot smaller than you originally thought. When one door closes, another always opens - which although doesn't always happen straight away, gives us a sense of comfort knowing that amazing things are on their way.
'Everything happens for a reason' and the cards you were dealt simply need to be accepted, as you take the reigns and drive your life to brilliance!

New years resolutions - be gone. Its time to reflect, appreciate and get excited about another year to come full of choices, happiness, new experiences and becoming a step closer to your dreams!

Xx