Teach Yourself How to Run: Part Seven [Dream a little]

Is there a good time to work, and a good time to play so that you get the most out of the effort that you put in? I thought there was.

I consider myself very lucky. I have been able to identify time and time again what it is that drives me to do certain things... and therefore repeat or decide not to repeat as necessary. Failure is an integral part of that equation, and as I have stated before, physically failing is not your only route to failure here. You can learn from others mistakes too.

THIS REALISATION WILL NOT MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO ADAPT. It makes for an interesting internal dialogue though.

Out running this morning, I found the going tough. I don't like mornings. Even whilst doing something I love.

Recently a friend of mine said she had read that having high or low energy levels during certain times of the day are a myth. It was suggested that we are capable of being mindful and changing our habits at will.

So I am testing this theory with my running. I like to run in the late afternoon. Morning is poison to me. Therefore I initiated a change which will hopefully prove or disprove the theory.

Like I said, today was tough. So tough that I wanted to cut the run short. I didn't, but it was internally considered with extreme prejudice. As it turns out I ran incredibly slow and laboured lots. I was confused and upset that my will wasn't strong enough to snap me out of the funk. I dug deep and considered that I wasn't as strong as I thought I was. This was not doing my confidence any good...

As my mind continually broke the experience down further, a particular music track began to play on my MP3 player.... and my legs became lighter. I ran around a corner to be faced with a powerful symbol of why running has meant so much to me over the years. The reason why I do what I do. It was there hung in the sky, orangey blue.

The view of the sun was magnificent. It just edged over a silhouetted house. My body and legs were energised and the music kept me trotting along nicely.

OK, the sun was only a symbol. The real reason for the energy boost was that I am visual and rhythm orientated. Running has been great way to view awesome sunsets and sunrises with my favourite tunes playing in my ears. It occurred to me that maybe we are all pretty similar. Visual learners.

The ability to visualise our challenges and think our way past them is very powerful indeed. To learn a lesson in high definition must also be a great advantage to students too.

To that end I will share with you a secret of mine.

I visualise my path ahead in unison with the music which is played in my ears during a run. I draw lines of comparison to the beats I hear and connect them with the life trials I face. This helps me see patterns and plan a strategy to move forward. Remotely.

The closest 'popular' example of this which I can think of is imagining that YOU are James Bond when you have just seen one of his feature films. For a short time after the cinema experience, you are James Bond. Every car you see drive by contains a spy who wants to learn your secrets... It takes all your willpower just to stop yourself from hiding round corners with a hand shaped Walther PPK. I'm pretty sure that these kinds of thoughts occur to most of us. But we do little with them.

What I was hoping to do for you today was to perhaps inspire a little change in you. Whether it is simply pulling on a pair of running shoes, going for a run and drinking up your creativity with an awesome self stylised soundtrack beating in your ears. Or making you realise that there are many hidden benefits to simply having dreams, and making them happen.

Learning lessons is of no use to anyone unless you can decipher their essence and relay it to others who also need the support.


Engine[er]

[Blog On The Run] Keeping it together

I always did feel nervous when about to present a speech to strangers, or when asked to talk about myself and my future plans. Did I say nervous? I meant petrified.

Mastery of my jitters had always been a particularly difficult personal challenge.

I once interviewed for a place on the new series of ITVs Kyrpton Factor. It went fine, and I managed to ace the intelligence test, but found myself in trouble when a rolling camera was turned towards me. From behind the camera came the words... "so, let's hear about you Glen"... I swallowed hard and then quite simply fell apart. This became a huge lesson to me. I had failed miserably.

Afterwards I was acutely aware that if I was ever going to do well in my career and surpass my goals - I had to be able to articulate my own story, AND hold it together. The valuable skill of self promotion, and selling myself to a wider audience got written into my business plan. My first step? I joined the BNI.

After 4weeks, I still struggle with it all, even though I have plenty to say! The feelings of self consciousness remain, and I wish it would just go away.

Today, I met with two astute and friendly engineering examiners at the headquarters of the Institute of Structural Engineers. The professional review was very engaging, and I haven't sweated so much since I presented a financial planning topic to an auditorium of 40 students at university. My interviewers handled the process very professionally and asked some searching questions. It turned out that I was their first associate member looking to take the exam for full membership. An upgrade? Not necessarily... but that's a post for another week.

My favourite question which was put to me by the interviewers was this; "now that you are working for yourself, how are you finding working on your own as a soletrader?"


Good question. Very good.



My answer was this; "I have never felt alone, both personally and professionally. I have a wealth of experienced Engineers to turn to and discuss my work and planned decisions with. I contribute to discussions on LinkedIn forums, and as a result I feel like I am part of a large organisation of helpful work colleagues. There are people who are looking out for me and I am forging new relationships all the time". Being alone only exists if you choose to cut yourself off. I do not intend to hide myself away, and nor should the members of our Institution or our graduate members. Life is an open forum, stake your claim.

I will be seeking help for my 'stage fright', and hunting out public speaking opportunities to test myself on. Maybe one day I will be as confident talking to strangers in person, as I am writing about my experiences.

How do you cope with talking to strangers?


Engine[er]