You Gotta Have Hope!

I’ve been receiving emails and comments from clients that suggest we all need a little extra to stay on track this year. Financial issues seem to be permeating everyone’s psyche. Some of us had a hard time with the holidays, or a relationship ending, or even the bitter cold outside. It seems like it is just a little harder for almost everyone these days.

What does this have to do with you, me and the endurance sports world that binds us? A lot. As athletes we have the skills to turn it around and get that feeling of Hope back. We know how to set goals, put a plan together to make it happen. Maybe we just need a reminder on how “gifted” we are with making things happen.

So here is the reminder and a little empirical data that suggests that the race we’re planning on doing next spring/summer/fall could very well be the thing that helps us get through a difficult chapter.

I read this morning about a recent psychology study that proved that setting an achievable goal, devising strategies for working toward it, and believing in your ability to achieve it does something amazing. These simple acts make you more hopeful.

According to this study, when a study-group of people underwent eight sessions of "hope therapy," a program designed to build goal-seeking skills; they came out much happier on the other end. Not only were they more hopeful, but also they became more positive thinkers, experienced less anxiety, and had better self-esteem. And they got things done.

Let’s get that hope back:

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the study was that rather than focusing on problems - as psychotherapy often does - the sessions taught people to focus on goals, strengths, and skills instead. Need help being more resilient through these challenging times? Pick a goal, make the necessary plans to achieve it, enlist the support of those around you and remember that the endorphins will kick in! I believe, you can never be too hopeful.

Now, get focused on that goal and remember that when things get you down!!