Every day, in all sorts of normal situations, there's something that points to the deeper workings of the mind. Something that helps us to unlock the inner strength, resilience, wisdom and creativity that are always there (even when it looks like they're not).
That's why (and how!) I can write these Daily Reminders each day. And to encourage you to get your own evidence for that inner resourcefulness, too!
People get paid to do that?!
In another realisation from the Huh-people-get-paid-to-do-that?! series, I spotted an article on Twitter with the subtitle:
‘Here's how therapists help pro cyclists reframe lung-burning, leg-zapping pain.’
I had a read, and discovered a ‘Secret 3-Step Plan’ (their words, not mine), that ‘Helps Pro Cyclists Suffer Better Than You’ and basically amounted to:
My first thought? I'm in the wrong business!
🤦🏻♂️ 😆
I mean I suppose it's great that this is someone's job (The Giles Ego Construct 📦 is green with envy, basically) and it's necessary at the top level of sport, but really, come on, this stuff just all flows naturally, when you have a deeper understanding of what the mind's doing, and why.
You don't need a ‘Secret 3-Step Plan’ that you won't remember, tomorrow!
Anticipating vs. panicking
Case in point. I'm on the indoor ‘turbo trainer’, and I've planned to suffer some “lung-burning, leg-zapping pain.”
(We're an odd bunch, us cyclists. Just go with it, because what I'm about to tell you has a much wider relevance for you.)
You can see, it's a structured workout. My indoor trainer is clever, in that it automatically increases the resistance during those intervals, so that I have to pedal much harder for the red/taller bits. There's no avoiding the hard bits, or slacking off for them, because the smart trainer does it all.
This kind of information, when you're setting out on a session, is invaluable. Anticipation is a really useful mind-skill we've evolved. It means that as a human, I can plan and prepare how much fluid I'll need, whether or not I need to have some food next to me, how my effort will be measured, let my wife know when I'll be back in action etc.
But this is the curious bit. Being human—having a mind—as each of the harder bits is looming, or has just started, it starts to panic. Every single time! (I'm not in control of what my mind does, or says.)
So it immediately projects into the future and creates a story of what it's going to feel like (the two basic things a mind does) and tells me, in no uncertain terms, that this is going to be a really bad situation that we don't want to be in, and that we should stop now, before it happens.
RING ANY BELLS?!
😆
What to do with a panicking mind
This happens all the time, for all of us, in pretty much all situations. It's completely normal and it doesn't mean there's anything remotely wrong with you.
It means you're alive, and you have a mind.
In terms of what to do… well, coming back to the turbo trainer example, I can tell you what I didn't do: go to my bookmarks folder on my computer and dig out the ‘Secret 3-Step Plan’ I'd read about earlier 🤣
The experience of panic is thought-created, and the only time it ever makes sense to be with that sensation, is when I've forgotten that simple fact. I mean, I can panic, I suppose, but it's going to affect my performance!
So as soon as I'd spotted what the mind was up to (using the feeling I was in, as a guide), it no longer made any sense to stay with the panic.
It made sense to let go of the tension, and be with the sensations of the moment – the turning pedals, relaxed shoulders, deep breaths.
And just do the ride.
Anticipation of, and planning for, future events is fine. Helpful. Necessary even!
Panic however… that's optional.
💟
Giles
Related
Giles P Croft
More on the juicy goodness of planning… and remaining present to the consequences.