Taking the Long View

With Boston behind me, it's time to start thinking about preparing for Ironman Wisconsin in September. I'm pretty sure it'll be my last Ironman - while I enjoy the competition, the training is both intense and at times, overwhelming. Swimming 2.4 miles, Biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles all in one day requires a level of preparation that some believe is both obsessive and excessive. I've suggested in previous blogs that one of the keys to staying the course and getting through both the physical and emotional demands of Ironman training is keeping the vision alive; seeing yourself cross that finish line, hearing the crowds, feeling the emotions of the moment. The other key, almost equally important, is to constantly take the long view. Postponing instant gratification, recognizing that each day of commitment and dedication gets you one step closer to the dream. Our culture rewards speed, leading us to believe that impatience is a virtue. We have a really hard time committing to anything that's going to take more than a few minutes to complete or prepare (think seven-minute abs, microwave meals, executive summaries of business books). Taking the long view - that is, recognizing that each day is an investment in something so much more valuable and memorable, is an absolute necessity. It's the same approach we must take when we are dealing with a life challenge; it's easy to think short term, to get caught up in the daily emotions which can sometimes seem daunting and debilitating - but we've got to maintain the greater perspective. Think months from now, not days.

In "Mandela's Way - Fifteen Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage", author Richard Stengel shares one of the secrets that allowed Nelson Mandela to survive twenty-seven years in prison...."in the main, he kept his eye and focus on the more distant goal. And he was determined that both his short and long-term goals should be pointing in the same direction. He often spoke of keeping the total picture in mind - he was always looking over the horizon. He was not quick or facile; if everyone has a natural distance - sprinting, middle distance, long distance - Mandela is a long-distance runner, a long distance thinker. And prison was a marathon."

What's your perspective? Are you looking and thinking long term - are you keeping the vision in mind, realizing that every action and effort you take today (no matter how small), provided it is aligned with your goal, is a long term investment in something greater? If not, it's time to...think beyond today, BELIEVE, and have faith in your future.