Two weeks ago, I sat glued to my living room TV screen, silently watching American Olympian, Quincy Hall overtake not one, but two runners in the 400 meter dash.
As a fellow track athlete, I was in complete awe. The 400 meter dash is one of the most difficult races, because the athlete is expected to sprint at full speed from the blocks to the finish line. It's the race that allows just enough time for you to question everything while you're gasping for air and fighting for endurance. When sprinting this same race in college, I'd pose every question to myself. I'd ask why I was there and how much longer I could last. I'd become self-aware and feel the pain of every breathless exhale as my arms grew tired. I'd feel the weight of the wind either pushing me to the finish line, or slowing me down. I'd ask myself if I really have it in me to keep going.
This line of questioning has happened for me both on and off the track.
This year, I celebrated 10 years since I launched Beneath Your Beauty, and nearly one year since deciding to take on a second master's degree. This short, but fast sprint, led me to a similar line of questioning: why am I here? Do I still have it in me? Can I finish strong? And finally, how badly do I want this?
Have you ever experienced this line of questioning? It usually occurs when we are at the cusp of touching our goals. It happens when we are tempted with distractions and faced with the dangers of comparison. This line of thinking usually comes when we need to decide if we want to start winning, or commit to losing. It comes when we need to push, because we are so close to the finish line.
The look on Hall's face when he gathered whatever the-heck was inside of him, said it all. It was in that moment, that he decided to throw all caution to the wind and let go of every doubt. He decided to stop losing. He found something deep and decided to take control.
After winning the race, Hall said "When I let go of everything, I stopped losing."
When we finally let go of every limitation and separate ourselves from every distraction, our goals can materialize. It's the absence of those things that keep us on course and bring us to where we are meant to be. Absence can quicken your pace. It's physical proof that you actually do want it.
What do you need to let go of? For me, it was more than just limiting beliefs. I needed to let go of certain people, ideas, and habits... (but we'll get more into that next week, chile... 👀 I have so much to share on this).
Until then, I hope you can begin taking inventory to identify which weights are keeping you from winning and slowing your mental and physical pace. If you're stuck behind other "runners" or distracted by comparison, its time to unpack your why.
I really believe you have your something deep -- just like Quincy Hall...perhaps it's a matter of finding it.
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