Sometimes change can be incremental and continuous. Steadily progressing, step by step. A bit like a ramp ftp test!
However at other times it can be discontinuous. It can feel like a pivotal, sliding doors, moment, You can remember the point in time like it was yesterday. The change of calendar year is one of those discontinuous moments as the year rolls into a “fresh start”. Connected to the past but somehow also new and independent.
With this in mind I’ve pulled together a few ideas that you might consider as 2023 experiences or challenges.
- Stimulate the body – Physical based
- 1 month yoga challenge – a great resource for this is https://www.youtube.com/@yogawithadriene/playlists
- Cold exposure and breathwork for example Win Hof or cold water swimming
- My coaching Challenge 66k (2023) – I’m running this again locally here and welcome anyone to try
- Nourish the body – Nutrition / recovery based
- Dry January – https://alcoholchange.org.uk/ and https://youtu.be/6q1RH8A3O3c
- “5 a day” – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day/why-5-a-day/ Maybe print a chart and add to the fridge?
- Invest in improving your sleep routine – https://www.richroll.com/podcast/matthew-walker-600/
- 1 day per week of no processed foods – being mindful of how we nourish ourselves – some recipes
- Enhance our mindset – thought and emotion based
- Journal – the simplest form is to print a monthly calendar and colour or score each morning and/or night. More advanced is to write a daily journal, tracking key information, mojo for training, successes or elements to be grateful for.
- A hug or connection per day – relationships can be one of the most influential aspects of our outlook. Can you connect with one person each day through the next month. Maybe forming a daily habit.
As an alternative to this, choose to do no resolution. No tracking. The alternative outlook is that tracking or counting creates a comparison either to ourselves or others. Goal setting can become outcome based rather than process or practice. It can create a destination to reach. This destination can remove us from the day to day and the current moment. Instead, and similar to the post about The Tao of Pooh bear, live each moment and simplify.
Love to hear your thoughts and how you approach this moment.
(Disclaimer – The best training results come from an athlete healthy in body and mind. Whilst these may support your triathlon training, they are only ideas and not specifically recommended or endorsed).