Goalposts

When it comes to our potential, our minds often dictate what we’re capable of - a goalpost that becomes non-negotiable - our perceived limits.

The reality is that experience can help to shift these goalposts to a level you thought previously impossible.

Sometimes it requires either mental or physical training to do so, sometimes just the belief or an experience, but it almost always involves nudging the edge of your comfort zone.

I have a few examples I want to share with you. What got me thinking about this is that I’m currently in India writing my book. I am also taking this opportunity to go to yoga classes. During my first week here I embarked on an intensive yoga programme - 2 hours, twice a day. 

Now my normal yoga routine consists of approximately 5 days a week of a 20-25 minute long online class, and sometimes I don’t even stick all the way through that. My brain starts playing tricks on me, telling me I have no discipline, etc. However with a small but mighty Indian man standing in front of me telling me what to do for 2 hours, twice a day, as I drip in sweat and breathe in a more focussed and disciplined way than ever before, I realise that my lack of ability to complete a 20 minute yoga class is bullshit.

Now that I’ve finished that intensive course, I’ve done my 20-30 minute classes every single day without fail, because I know I can do a heck of a lot longer if I need to. These shorter sessions appear completely achievable in comparison. The goalposts have been moved.

Secondly, running. 2 years ago when I first started going out with James, an 8km run we did one weekend was the furthest I’d ever run in my life. I carried on running an average of 5-7km on my runs, once or twice a week. A few weeks ago, after a very strict schedule of running every other day for a month, I managed 13km. Training did that. I didn’t think this was within my grasp in such a short period of time. Now when I went for a run this morning amongst the tea plantations, a 45 minute up and down hill jog, which I would previously have told myself was the extent of my ability, felt like a walk in the park. The goal posts have been moved.

And finally, paddling. Before I paddled the length of the UK, the furthest I’d ever managed was about 25miles in a day. One day about 6 weeks into the expedition, approaching and going through Inverness, due to tides and pressures from the conditions I paddled a whopping 64 miles in 24 hours. I didn’t previously think this achievable, but with wind and tide pressures pushing me forward, it was not only achievable but necessary.

We set our own goalposts based on what we believe our abilities to be. They are not static, they move with experience and training. However if we declare our goalposts to be at a certain point, we’ll very rarely go beyond that. So my challenge to you is - can you explore where the extent of your ability actually lies? Can you be mindful of where your brain is telling you your edge is? Can you move your goalposts just a wee bit in the direction of progress?

As always, be kind to yourself, progress is incremental, and that’s ok! But believe in yourself too. Or find a tiny but fierce Indian man to task-master you in the right direction!

I’d love to hear your experiences too!