Daily Gratitude: Before you shake your head at this one and scroll on by…..it’s essential that you know this quote is for YOU…each and every one of you. “What? I’m never going to be a champion. I’m too old. I’m too…whatever.” This is your first turning point. Definitions are key here. YOU define these words: challenge, surrender, and champion. The only stickler is that you have to define them (for yourself) before you begin any endeavor. It’s “cheating” to want to stop when something gets rough so then you come up with your definitions to suit the circumstances. However, you certainly can and should define them at the beginning of such an undertaking. Example could be my Tennessee race in July – you know, the 314 mile one i have to do in 10 days. For me the challenge starts way back several months when i decide it’s time to start training. That challenge includes the training and the event no matter how hard it gets and how bad it seems. Champion to me is my finishing the race within the allotted time. Surrender is defined by absolutely not being able to continue due to illness or significant injury (not just “it hurts so bad”). Along with that surrender must not be done until I have had rest. I am not allowed to call the meat wagon for anything other than an illness or injury until after i get some sleep. When I do the fixed time races, my definitions change because the characteristics of the race changes. See, you do not have to be, nor should you be, locked into one set of definitions for everything you do. Take some time right now to find an upcoming scenario and come up with your definitions.

Daily Gratitude: Happy New Year to Team Terrie! I feel I had a deprived childhood because I never experienced Dr. Seuss. Nevertheless, this quote is a great way to start your new year. It’s also a great way to start any day of any year. As soon as you wake up in the morning, express gratitude that you did. Then, immediately proclaim “Today is my day!” Keep saying it no matter what comes up, no matter how busy you are. Repetition leads to mastery. Mastery in this regard is creating that great day. Remember what Willie said (William Shakespeare) “Nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so”. Stuck in traffic? What do you think about it? What can you do to change that thought if your thought isn’t the best in the world? If you’re having trouble with that, try using the “compared to what?” concept. If you’re upset that you’re ‘wasting’ time being stuck in traffic, ask yourself “is this really that bad?” and if you say “yes”, follow it with “compared to what?” Others don’t have a car so they have to wait outside for the bus. If it’s hot, they have to stand there anyway while you may be stuck waiting but you probably have A/C. What about those who have to find a way to work every day? Or, those who have to walk? Or, those that don’t even have a job? There’s always a way to spin your circumstances. You can spin them in a good way or a bad way. The choice is yours.

Daily Gratitude: This is a good quote to use in the beginning of the year even though it’s applicable all throughout the year. All too often we get stuck in the past. All this talk about New Year’s resolution and goals is likely to depress many people and I would say most people have some kind of negative response to all the hype about goals etc. I’ve had enough of it for sure and i talk a lot about goals. But I don’t need someone shoving it down my throat 24 hours a day. It’s all about marketing and selling this program or that. So, we’re stuck with it I guess. But my advice is to take a look at where you’ve come from in the past year (or even a few years). Pick out what you liked and what you want to work on (avoid words like “change” because that automatically brings resistance). What you have as abilities is not what I have and that’s just fine. My goal are not yours and that’s ok too. It’s all about what you have and what you want to do. The most important (and hardest) thing is just to start. Once you’ve started, you can keep going. That’s what you’re after – just to start and to keep going. Start now.