“Pace yourself. Your best moments will be those you live in, not rush through.”

Point to Ponder:
Are you going after one of your new year’s resolutions or goals full-throttle?

Action Item:
Re-think how you might pace yourself more realistically so that you can have sustainable, long-term success.

by Neissa Brown Springmann

Once upon a time I ran a marathon, and once upon a time I could run a half marathon with ease, and the three-mile loop at Lady Bird Lake was simply a warm-up. Now, 2 children and at least five years later, the three-mile loop is a struggle.  Because I love the serenity of a jog (especially around Lady Bird Lake), one of my 2014 goals is to run the loop without stopping.  So, last Monday I set out on a mission to regain my running endurance. I knew going into it I would likely be winded and want to stop, but the moment I stepped onto the trail I felt like “the old Neissa” again. I was strong, athletic and invincible, so I took off! As you might expect, within five minutes I began to walk, and I wasn’t feeling the confidence I experienced just a few minutes earlier. Long story short, I did complete the loop but it was a humbling run/walk combination.

Then, on Saturday morning I got up early to try again, but this time I was much more strategic and realistic. Rather than let my ego push me beyond my cardiovascular limits I recognized and accepted my stamina state and paced myself. Surprisingly, and with the exception of intentionally walking across the Pfluger Bridge to enjoy the view, I completed the loop without stopping. My time wasn’t great, but I really didn’t care.  It’s a marathon and not a sprint, right?!

Throughout my jog, I thought a lot about the concept of pacing myself and how relevant it is in life, and for this time of year in particular. Too often, the vast majority of my goals, resolutions and expectations are motivated by past successes: what I once was or what I once could do. And, because one of my Achilles heels is living in the past or future, I have trouble accepting my present reality and don’t pace myself, which of course results in not having long-term success with my goals.

Like anything worth having or accomplishing, it takes time — even if it is something that was once easy! So in this new year, I challenge you to pace yourself and embrace what is sustainable, which is nothing that can be achieved overnight or within a few weeks or months time. This includes building or repairing healthy relationships, adopting healthy habits, acquiring healthy thoughts, creating a healthy body and everything else that is on your 2014 to-do’s, goals and resolutions list.  So, go ahead and pace yourself, and let’s make 2014 the best year of our lives!