Compost Pile

Never let success go to your head, and never let failure get to your heart. - Ziad K. Abdelnour

I heard this insightful quote from a British ultra-runner named Tom Evans during a podcast called “Free Trail.” He spoke of the importance of strengthening one’s mental fortitude while enduring long-duration races. He states he speaks with his Sport Psychologist more than his strength coach and physical therapist.

It is important to note that in order to thrive in life and in these types of endeavors, one’s mental state must be secure.

Our greatest challenge is not to conquer external foes, but to overcome the doubts and fears within ourselves that hinder our progress. If we want, we can possess a multifaceted mind that works in sync with our hearts.

Evans’ words brought back memories of a project I undertook a few years back. The project involved developing mental defenses and offenses to tackle internal struggles.

When experiencing self-doubt and self-sabotage, finding effective strategies for positive self-talk takes self-exploration. However, it is crucial to combat the negative thoughts that potentially lead to feeling defeated. Negative self-talk can be incredibly powerful, turning into the knife centimeters away from slicing an artery; drawing blood leading to quitting and giving up on life. The point is to acknowledge these thoughts but never, ever act on them.

Simple, maybe, but it creates an argument that once that far deep in the hole, it is impossible to get out. Life can be unforgiving, regardless of one’s status. However, we have a special ability to learn and build and gain the strength to combat internal battles.

These mental defenses and offenses don’t need to be complex and complicated. They require simple and practical points of performance for effective behaviors in such instances. To unmask internal wounds brings a heart of purposeful courageous acts that lead to growth and progress.

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Thanks for reading.

GB3 /AIMH