1-2-3 Sundays: Camping, Goals & Catching The Bug

1 Theme

Stepping Up To The Mark

I've been covering for my boss at work for the last couple of weeks.

It meant having to balance my own duties and responsibilities and what my manager would usually cover.

This wasn't easy.

Attending meetings I wouldn't normally go to and being part of the decision-making process has put me out of my comfort zone.

I'll be honest and say imposter syndrome was trying to make its way in. At times, there were thoughts of "I'm not good enough to do this" and "You're not experienced enough". Bearing in mind some of my colleagues have 30 years+ experience.

Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture helped me here. I wouldn't have been asked if I wasn't capable. I was doing the role to gain experience and see what goes on on different sides of the business.

The hardest part is managing people who are way more experienced than you. That's a skill that can only be developed with patience and time.

2 Positive Outcomes

Camping

A few weeks ago, I went into Asda with the intention of getting a battery.

I got home without the battery but rather a tent.

It was a good price and one of those moments where I asked myself

Does this purchase align with my values?

The short answer is yes.

I've always wanted to camp in Scotland and this was a perfect opportunity to get the ball rolling.

After a couple of busy weekends, Aimee and I decided to go away for the night this weekend.

We both enjoy being in nature so it was an exciting decision.

Plus, the cost for pitching up is relatively small compared to hotel rooms. This makes it an inexpensive way to explore the Scottish landscape.

I've Caught The Bug

Nope. Not that one.

I'm locked and loaded for my next event - the Great Scottish Run in October.

This one is a half marathon which lightens the training load compared to the full beast from earlier in the year.

I know what to expect on the day as well.

3 Things I've Learned

Goals Are Reference Points

Have you ever felt when you achieve a goal "is that it"?

It's perfectly normal.

Building up to a big goal forces you to develop systems and habits to get you there. Once your pass it, there's often a comedown and a feeling of being lost.

Where do you go next? Have I peaked?

This is because goals serve as reference points.

They measure how well we're performing.

They're not the final destination as we may think.

For example, if your goal is to lose 1lb of fat per week for 8 weeks and you've lost 9lbs in total across that time then you can confidently say your systems and habits are working well.

This became clear when reflecting upon the marathon. My goal was to complete it under 4 hours, which I did, so my training routines worked. Going forward, it puts me in a position where I know how to work towards a similar goal again.

After all, we're playing an infinite game. Life doesn't stop after one achievement.

Dynamic Strength Index

I finished Ross Edgely's Blueprint this week. It's a phenomenal read for those wanting an insight into combining sport, fitness and adventure.

One of the concepts discussed is the Dynamic Strength Index (DSI).

"Put simply, the DSI measures the difference between an athlete’s ability to produce force during a dynamic or isometric test, versus their ability to produce force during a ballistic exercise"

This is also a way of measuring an athlete's "strength potential" and how much they can use during a ballistic movement like a squat jump.

Coaches of high-level athletes use this index to design and tweak an athlete's programming depending on whether they need to develop maximal strength or rate of force development (power).

Basketball players need to be able to produce big forces in a short time so they can make dunks and blocks.

The higher the ratio between forces the more an athlete is using their maximum potential peak strength.

I can see myself going down the rabbit hole on this one.

Making Habits Effortless

I'm two weeks out from my photoshoot. One of my habits throughout the prep has been making sure I get 15k steps every day. It's non-negotiable.

At first, I found it difficult. I was squeezing in random 5 minute walks to get extra steps.

My system hadn't yet been optimised.

Daily walks at lunchtime and a run once per week mean steps are locked in for this time. It's an easy way to socialise and makes work more enjoyable.

An evening walk with Aimee is our time to spend together rather than sitting on the couch. It gives us both energy and accountability to maximise our steps for the day.

We've gotten to the point where this has become second nature.

This takes time. Habits take roughly 21 days to build so be patient when making changes to your routine.