Manufacture Your Day by FINDING MEANING IN SUFFERING
Today I would like to explain why suffering is good for you.
So many people have dreams and goals. They want to achieve something but the thing is that it takes work, effort and mental strength to get where you want to be.
I have learned a lot from my sports activities. In all the long-distance races I have done, suffering has become my friend. I have learned that you don’t stop training because
- it’s hard
- of excuses
- you don’t feel like it
- there is no time
You go all in because you have set a goal and you want to experience the glory when you pass the finish line. It’s as simple as that.
Following a plan and maintaining consistency are key, but most importantly, you have to start telling yourself a new story.
Mindset matters!
I have never started a race to compete against others. My main goal was to strive for a personal best. I wanted to become better and I encourage you to do the same.
I would like to provide 3 examples:
1) Losing Weight
When people join a gym (start running or do any other kind of exercise) and change their nutrition, there are a lot of things that change in their body and (hopefully) in their lifestyle. They will experience muscle aches and possibly feel a little bit hungry or full of cravings along the way. Can this come as a surprise? They are in the process of losing weight.
Rather than feeling bad about the muscle pain or whining about having all kinds of cravings, they should celebrate and think, “This is so awesome, I am on the right track. This little bit of suffering will get me where I want to be.”
2) Stopping to Smoke
I used to smoke and I am happy I managed to quit years ago. I really disliked spending so much money on such an unhealthy hobby. Wouldn’t it be better to take a vacation instead? How did I do it? First off, I made the firm decision to quit. I’ve had it. For me, there was no turning point. I also used the power of the moon in my favour. Chances are you have no idea what I am talking about but in Austria, the Farmer’s Almanac is quite common and useful for all kinds of things, and smoking is one of them.
If you are a smoker and you want to quit, learn to embrace a few weeks of suffering for a better quality of life without cigarettes.
Celebrate and think: “Bravo! Feeling a little bit off is quite normal and shows me that I am on the right track. I could smoke but I don’t want to.”
3) Learning a New Skill
Learning a new skill or behaviour may seem to be difficult and frustrating at first because you have to consciously think in order to apply the new skill. However, the more you practice, the better you will become and you will be able to use it unconsciously. Don’t give up and surround yourself with people who support you. A whiner will never be a winner. Many people are not willing to give up what they want now for what they want most because it takes work and effort. Don’t be one of them.
There were times in my life when I really wanted to buy something but I couldn’t because all the money I had went into establishing my business.
If things don’t seem to go fast enough, simply celebrate and think: “I am not there yet but I will be.”
Remember, it’s all about the story you tell yourself about yourself.
Food for Thought:
What story are you telling yourself?
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