Taming Tigers

Morning All,

I am currently reading Taming Tigers by Jim Lawless and what an awesome book it is. The chapter I was reading last night reminded me of a very important factor when goal setting and taking daily decisive action on those goals.......it's simply asking Why? Why am I doing what I am doing? Why am I motivated to take action?

I ran the Why exercise for myself yesterday and it took me 5 minutes to create a long list of why I exercise and why I take action on it. It was a really empowering exercise and made it clear as to why is was being disciplined, focused and prepared to constantly improve.

I would encourage you to do this exercise too as it really gives you clarity.

Have an awesome day.

Fantastic video about the power of body language....

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

Quote of the day......

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.

- Alexander Graham Bell

Quote of the day......

Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal — a commitment to excellence — that will enable you to attain the success you seek.

- Mario Andretti

Quote of the day.....

While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us.

- Benjamin Franklin

Push a little harder......

I went for a run this morning and decided that I would go for a 10km trip out. Now I haven't completed a 10km run all year and have stuck to 5km quick burst runs that have increased my fitness.

My outlook as I set off was lets see how we get on and remember that it's my run and I am not racing against anyone but myself (I am by the way my toughest competitor). The first 5km was manageable and it was when I reached 8km that I started to feel the pain of not having completed a 10km in a while. However given the option of stopping at 8km or reaching my goal, I realised that this is the point at which I would make my biggest gains in physical fitness and mental fitness terms. I pushed through the mental "home" barrier and actually turned away from home and ran 1km out so I had to do 1km back.

The end result was that I produced a run that I am really proud of. I ran 9km out of 10km under 6mins, which is in line with my training plan. My 10km total time was close to a PB and I felt I had more running in my legs. Imagine what would have happened if I had stopped at 8km! Imagine what would have happened if I hadn't even have gone out all!!

This can be applied to any goal we set in life, when you are close to your goal and feel like stopping, push through and see what amazing things you can achieve. Galvanise yourself for success and be willing to push past the pain barrier.

What are you on the brink of quitting before reaching your end goal? How are you going to make sure you push through? Who can support you in reaching your target?

Pertinent questions to ask when you are about to push through!!

Quote of the day.....

The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about.”—Unknown

Believe in bananas.....

A slightly obscure title for a blog post but it reminds me of some training that I have recently delivered on how to pass a particular exam.

When I am coaching the delegates on revision techniques and tips I talk to them about nutrition and how it can support them in keeping their energy levels consistently high which will in turn support them in learning what they need to learn.

I use the phrase "believe in bananas" as an umbrella term to cover all food that facilitates higher energy and learning.

Consuming the right food and drink is essential to our performance in any given task. The popular habit when people lack energy before, during or after taking on a challenging task is to reach for a sugar rich drink and a chocolate bar. These types of energy snacks have a placebo effect which will momentarily placate the lack of energy you are feeling, but the immediate sugar spike will soon wear off and you will be back to a state of lethargy where you are unable to perform at the level that you need.

Before you reach for that chocolate bar or can of energy drink, think about the natural alternatives available to you that cost less and last longer. If you feel a lack of energy or are hungry it could because you are dehydrated, so take some water on board and replenish. Remember the body is made up of a high percentage of water therefore it's essential.

When it comes to food, natural is best and bananas, almonds, oatcakes etc are a great source of natural energy. It's no coincidence that you see sports people eating bananas during their match/event as they provide a rich source of potassium, sugar and protein that gives you boost you need from a natural resource. Set yourself up for the day with a breakfast that gives you the energy you need.

Remember, you can be in control of sustained energy levels by being in control of what goes into your body which will positively impact on your ability to perform at the level required.

Have an awesome Easter.

Balanced exercise and rest......

I am a huge advocate of exercise as a means by which you can increase your energy, come up with new ideas and inspiration, relieve stress and anger, lose weight, feel empowered to take action and generally a fantastic way to increase the release of dopamine in your system.

However, there also needs to be a clear balance between exercise and rest so that you avoid burnout and unnecessary stress.

Be aware that if you get to the point where you are feeling guilty for not doing exercise even though you have been exercising regularly, then it's probably time that you actually take a rest as your workouts will be guilt motivated and less impactful then if you took a days rest, let your body recover and refocus your mind to thinking that your body will massively benefit from the repair time you are giving it.

To avoid burnout create balance!!

Keep focused on your goals and take action everyday!

Managing stress......

No matter how focused and positive you are there will always be a certain amount stress that you will experience in your life. Human beings have the ability to deal with different degrees of stress depending on how they have set themselves up to deal with it.

If we wait for when stress happens we may well be caught on the back foot and not as effective at dealing with it, so it pays to be prepared for the strain that it can bring. I am not saying that you should expect stress to appear as I believe in what you think about you bring about, but preparation is key.

You can take certain steps to get yourself into a stronger position by focusing one what you can do to activate the mind, body and spirit.

What do you do to keep you mind active and in the right positive place? What literature do you read? What audio do you listen to? What do you visually have around you to remind you of your own influence in your life?

How frequently do you exercise, whether it be mild, light or hardcore? What do you put into your body? How balanced is your diet?

What do you do to quiet your mind? How do you keep in touch with the spiritual part of your body?

These are questions you can ask and take action on when you are planning to be successful and in a position of strength when presented with challenging times.

Keep focused and keep positive.

Quote of the day......

Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life - is the source from which self respect springs.

- Joan Didion

A kind word......

Never underestimate the impact that a kind word or positive affirmation can have on someone. Twice this week people have asked me for advice on positivity and direction which makes me feel fantastic.

People close to you will relish a positive word or two and remember when you say it, it could arrive at the most opportune moment and make them feel outstanding.

Quote of the day.....

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain

Quote of the day

"I must be willing to give what I am in order to become what I will be" - Albert Einstein

Focusing your mind......

It is a challenge sometimes when your mind seems to be on other things rather than the task in hand, even though you know that you may have a deadline to meet and other critical work to do as well.

The most effective way for me to be able to focus my mind is by stripping back my task list and re prioritise what needs to be done so that I feel more in control. I make sure I place personal timelines on all the work that I need to do, which are well in advance of the actual deadline itself.

Sometimes the simple reorganisation of your task list can free up your mind to refocus your energy on the most important things, even when the task list may well contain the same tasks as they did before.

Once you have re-prioritised there is a renewed sense of control and now you can simply get focused on taking action.

Alternatively, another way of giving your self the kick start, is exercise and get your blood flowing and therefore your energy levels will increase. Exercise will increase your energy, creativity and concentration levels, not deplete them as some people would suggest.

Remember, energy flows where attention goes.........

Quote of the day

You can make positive deposits in your own economy every day by reading and listening to powerful, positive, life-changing content and by associating with encouraging and hope-building people.

Zig Ziglar

Desiderata - Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.




As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.



If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.



Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.



Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.



Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.



Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.



With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.



Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.



Max Ehrmann c.1920