BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Do things you hate

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about how doing something you absolutely hate can actually motivate you to train harder to do something you love. 

 Meet Jill Brockman, a dear friend of mine, a fellow Bass Pro Marathon pacer, and the only person who hates running on pavement so much that she had "IHATEPAVMNT" printed on her race bib rather than her name. Now if that doesn't already have you laughing, her Facebook posts will. Prior to the Little Rock Marathon that took place last weekend, Jill had this to say, "So I’m not a fan of road races anymore. I signed up over 2 years ago and kept deferring. At least I have new pretty shoes to wear and the lightning will cause adrenaline. Here we are." Now if you're thinking her outlook improved upon earning a gigantic medal after 26.2 miles of slapping the concrete, think again. This was what she said after crossing the finish line, "Well that was Fun. So fun that I won’t ever do it again!" Hahahahaaa! Do you just love that or what?

All joking aside though, doing things we don't want to do, things that hurt, things that are hard and things that are uncomfortable can actually benefit us. 

One good reason to do hard things is that by doing them, hard things begin to feel easier — not because they are actually easier, but because by doing them, we become more adapted to and more adept at conquering them. Choosing to do what’s difficult makes us stronger to face difficult things. Choosing to do what hurts makes us better able to handle pain. And choosing to do the uncomfortable over and over eventually allows us to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, which motivates us to attempt harder and harder things. See where I'm going with this? 

But if you need a few more reasons to motivate yourself to do hard things and/or things you downright hate both in life and in running, check out these 8 Reasons from Lifehack while keeping this is mind.... many people take the easy way out of, well, everything. They take shortcuts in life and oftentimes end up living a life that is less than fulfilling and come to the end of their days asking themselves, "Why did I play life so safe?" A new idea – probably the best idea – is to do the hard things in life instead. This means making decisions to do the things that other people aren’t willing to do, or the things that you’ve always avoided doing. And, yes, even the things you downright hate!

 
1. You Will Grow As A Person
There is nothing more fulfilling in life than growth. Expanding your knowledge of your community, yourself, the people around you and the world are ways to grow as a person. This could mean trying a new restaurant in town, even if the food is from a culture you’ve never heard of. This could mean traveling to a new country, even if you go through a tour company, you’ll still be experiencing different cultures. Allow yourself to be accepting of people, places, and things that are outside your norm.

2. You Will Become A Better Person
Taking the easy way out allows you to flow through life unnoticed and unfulfilled. Allowing yourself to do the harder things in life will help you become a better person. Extending a helping hand to those who have hurt you is doing the hard thing, but you will feel better about it, and you are definitely the better person for doing so.

3. You Will Stand Out
Many times people avoiding helping or doing the task that nobody wants to do. Not being this person, and instead being the one who chooses to take on the project, or do the task, will help you stand out. For example, if you take on a difficult client at work and succeed, you will be noticed by your boss for your efforts. The next time a promotion comes up, you’ll most likely be on the top of the list to get one.

4. You Will Be Healthier
Again, taking the easy way out allows you to slink through life, but it could also create health issues. For instance, if you choose to buy dinner out because ‘it’s easier than making dinner at home’ you will suffer from the negative effects of eating fast food regularly. If you choose to eat at home, taking the extra time to prepare a healthy dinner, you will feel more energized, want to get up and exercise, and improve your overall health.

5. You Will Become Smarter
Another great thing about taking the time to do the hard things in life is that you’ll become smarter. Taking the time to solve a problem, or plan an event, puts your mind into overdrive. You’ll learn to come up with great ideas for doing new tasks, and open your mind to new concepts, you would never have come across taking the easy way out.

6. You Will Be More Productive
People who choose to do what nobody else wants to do are often very productive and successful individuals. They tend to take charge, and get things done. Just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean it has to take forever. You will learn to put your mind on the task at hand and push through until completion.

7. You Will Be Valued
Many people look at those who take on these ‘hard things’ as someone to depend on, someone to look up to, and above all, someone whose efforts they value. If you want to be this person, do the hard things in life.

8. You Will Be Happier
Probably the most important reason why you should choose to do the hard things in life is that it will make you happier. You will feel as though you’ve accomplished something, tried your hardest, put in the effort needed, and have made a difference in society. It will also build your self confidence in knowing that when the going gets rough, you’ll be equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

So there you have it friends. There are so many reasons to do hard things and things you hate. And you can be sure those 'hard things' are whatever is uncomfortable, challenging and/or tough for you. Like getting up before sunrise to exercise even when you want to sleep in. Running on pavement when you'd rather be hitting the trails or extending a kind word or hand of helpfulness to someone who has wronged you. All these things make a difference, help others, and essentially make you a better, healthier, happier, fulfilled individual. And that, in turn, makes you a better human and a better runner. And don't we all want to be that? 

Happy Running!