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Today I had to reach clear back into my bag of tricks and pull out a technique that I haven't had to use in quite a while. It's called the "But it doesn't matter technique". If you are having a tough run you just add this phrase onto the end of each thought. I had seven miles of this phrase today. It went a little something like this.
Starting off at mile 1 and continuing to mile 7 my thoughts sounded like this in my head:
"Oh my gosh, I wonder if picking up each leg with your hands and setting it down then picking up your other leg is a running form I'm not familiar with, --but it doesn't matter"
"Wow, I am really tired, I need more sleep--but it doesn't matter"
"I can't believe the scale said I gained 3 lbs today!!?? Why do I even try?--but it doesn't matter"
"Scout pack meeting tonight and football practices at same time, how is that going to work?--but it doesn't matter"
"7 more days, 7 more days, can't breathe, can't breathe--but it doesn't matter"
"Travis (husband) been out of town and I NEED Travis --but it doesn't matter"
"Sharing time for November, primary callings, leadership meetings, division championship football game for son#1 at same time as Bowl football game for son #2 and soccer game for son #3, etc. etc.---but it doesn't matter"
So you see the whole purpose of the technique is whatever is on you mind or rather keeping you from running you say this little phrase and suddenly you don't have any excuses. It's raining, it's cold, it's hot, I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm busy, ---but it doesn't matter.
What is more important "Attitude" or "Behavior"? Some will say attitude. If you have a bad attitude then how can you accomplish things? I say behavior is more important. You can't really see somebody's "attitude" but you can see their behavior. "Research shows that as a rule attitudes are justifiers of behavior rather than causes of it. That is most of the time we develop attitudes in order to explain our behavior to ourselves and/or others."*
Did I have a great attitude today for my 7 mile run? Umm, not really. What was my behavior? I ran 7 miles. My behavior taught me "I will get it done no matter what" thus shaping my attitude that I can perform even under not so great circumstances.
I leave you with this little gem,
It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
Albus DumbledoreHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Today I chose to run.
Happy Running,
NRR
*Taken from David A. Whitsett, Forrest A. Dolgener and Tanjala Mabon Kole.
I guess this comment doesn't matter either, but I still think this was a worthwhile post!
ReplyDeleteI like this! I think I'll be tacking on the "but it doesn't matter" phrase whenever I start getting whiny. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGood post. Should have read it before I went on my run today.
ReplyDeleteyou. rock. you did it.
ReplyDeleteYou freaking got er' done.
Now go do the 486 other things done. awesome Adrienne!
Nice post. Don't you feel great after you do a run like this that mentally challenges you?
ReplyDeleteYou rock Adrienne. Way to hang in there. Tough run, day, week, etc. They call can't be good I guess. "But it doesn't matter" is a great technique. It reminds me of something kinda similar I heard: "So What, Now What".
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome - I like it; it doesn't matter that I'll be using this TOMORROW !
ReplyDeleteThat is such an amazing quote...and yeah...you rocked that run. All I could think of while I was reading this was that song with Wyclef and "The Rock"... "it doesn't matter"!
ReplyDeleteYou did the damn thang! You're awesome.
Great post! you're posts always inspire me to just get out there and run!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm back!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post. REALLY great post. I think I'm going to start doing this - around mile 22 of the marathon!
Dudette! I'm almost tempted to analyze this very deeply and say it's mumbo jumbo ... but actually it's pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between a professional and an amateur is only that a professional does it because it needs to be done. An amateur only does it when they want to do it.
I'm going back to running with a football helmet and laundry basket on my head. That's the behavior that will make me a winner!
This is really great! I'll certainly remember and use this. Albus Dumbledor...one of my all time heroes!
ReplyDelete