I’m not a Star Wars buff, but I have always enjoyed how fans of the movie have been able to work in the Zen of the force in conversations and life in general. Hey if it works for you use it. I have been thoroughly entertained over the past few weeks by former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and his proclaimed innocence. He has, on two different interviews, mentioned an effective “Jedi” mind trick he has used to help him stay motivated to run in the cold Chicago mornings and it, along with others are worth some consideration.
1. Set Your Clothes Out the Night Before you Run. This seems so simple and rather pointless, but it works. Over the years as I have worked out in the mornings, I always prepare my clothes and other items immediately before bed. It prepares me mentally for the run the next morning, and when the alarm goes off I feel like something is waiting on me.
2. Schedule and Pre-Register for a Running Event. I have said many times putting a date on your goals has a powerful effect in keeping you on task and focused on your goals. Regardless if your challenge is physical or financial if you have a planned date on the calendar and you have made a commitment to attend or meet the goal you are more likely to follow through with the steps needed to reach your goal. (Many people won’t do this because we are too afraid the commitment will actually lead to action).
3. Start a Training Journal. Buy a small notebook and journal your running experiences. You could log how many miles you ran, your run time, how you felt prior to, and after your run and the overall experience of your run. Look for a future blog entry on this topic.
4. Run with Music. Although I no longer run with music, I used to run to have ear phones on every time went running. Music allows you to loose yourself in your thoughts and turn your focus from pain or fatigue. Why else do you think the Marines and other members of the armed forces run and sing cadence? When I was in the Marines we would go for extremely long runs or marches and sing cadences the entire time. Our focus was on repeating the words or song and the often humor associated with what was being chanted. (I don’t suggest singing cadences while running alone, people tend to stare)
5. Buy a New Workout Item. As much as I hate to suggest this, since we are trying to reach financial goals as well, it does work. Purchasing new running shorts, shoes, or songs for your ipod can help pull you out of the running rut you will sometimes find yourself in. Just make sure there is room in your budget or spending plan for your purchase and don’t become dependent on this tactic every time you don’t feel like running.
Even the best runners don’t feel like running every day. You have to find ways to overcome the mental road blocks that can prevent you from sticking to routines that move you closer to your goals. Print this article and keep it in a handy place to add to your repitua Jedi mind tricks (If I had a good quote from Star Wars it would go here.)
Chett Daniel
[http://www.5k5k.org]
