1-2-3 Sundays: Paradoxes, Solitude & The Bigger Game

1 Theme

Playing The Bigger Game

I got COVID for the second time this week.

Unlike the first time when I showed no symptoms, it wasn't the case this time. It felt like a cold. Nothing too serious apart from feeling exhausted for a day.

During the time I was staying at home, I wished I could get out to train and run. I felt frustrated but knew I would be able to get back to it soon.

When I recovered I could've gone all guns blazing and thrown myself at my workouts with the same intensity as usual but I didn't.

I chose to take another option.

Sleep and recovery were prioritised and an optional conditioning session was swapped for yoga. When I went back to the gym I had the intention of getting the body moving.

My Saturday distance run was the priority so I wanted to make sure I was feeling and performing well going into that.

Delaying gratification allows you to play the bigger game.

Planning out your priorities will show you where this can be done.

2 Positive Outcomes

The Thing I've Neglected

I haven't been writing much other than these each week.

Why?

It hasn't been what I've been optimising or prioritising. My writing skills took a temporary halt while I learned to balance my full-time job and Head of Client Success role.

Improving my coaching skills has been of more importance.

I've been okay with not writing as much.

This week, however, I took a dose of my own advice and decided to "document rather than create", detailing my experiences over the past few months.

You can read the full post here on Medium.

Really Good Coffee

Getting an Aeropress has changed the coffee game for me.

It was only until I left it at home while at work I realised how much of a better cup you can make.  

The cafetiere is still decent but the richness and strength from the Aeropress is incredible.

Appreciating the simple things.

If you can’t be happy with a coffee, you won’t be happy with a yacht - @naval

3 Things I've Learned

Journaling In The Evening

This is a habit I've had for nearly 4 years.

It's only recently that I've noticed it's power.

Admitteddly, its slipped in previous months however I've been including this in my evening routine again.

I sit down and simply write a page of thoughts, getting as much on the page. The purpose is to ensure I'm going to bed with a clear head.

My sleep is always better when I do this. I'm allowing my brain to relax in preparation for sleep. No phone or screen is present.

In the morning, I wake up refreshed with a sense of clarity for the day ahead.

Seeking Solitude

There's one reason why I choose to prioritise my Saturday run.

It's when I clock out.

There's space for me to be with my own thoughts.

It's even better when you met very few people on the trails. The weather can be off-putting however that doesn't bother me. It's a form of conditioning.

Plus, it's also good fun.  

Being Uncomfortable Will Make You Happy

Sounds paradoxical, right?

In the short term, obviously not.

Thinking longer term, yes.

This goes back to the concept of delayed gratification.

Experiencing uncomfortable situations doesn't make you feel good. Think of being at mile 22 of a marathon when every part of body hurts but you're going of that PB.

You'll feel a massive high crossing the line knowing the pain was worth it.

The same goes with work projects and uni assignments. They're tough at the time however knuckling down to do the work pays off.

Less time thinking and more time doing.

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