RECOVER: August 1, 2014

Reflect -> Recharge -> Restore -> Refocus: RECOVER

Spoiler Summary - sometimes it requires rest.....sometimes it just means a change in the intensity - but long term growth and eventual achievement ultimately requires RECOVER.

There's a strange thing that athletes report after a big milestone (big game, race, etc).....sort of like the blues....a sensation of blah.  The extreme focus it takes for many months (and even years by some standards) is in the rearview - and although there is always a long list of outstanding "to-do" that can and will quickly fill the found-time - it still feels like a bit of a void.  Now what?  I'm in that space.

As I featured last week, Ironman Lake Placid, the focus of the last 8-9 months for me is in the rearview.  Not a perfect race for a lot of reasons - some within, some outside of my control (blog post HERE if the full story interests you), but nonetheless over....and the "now what?" phase is in full effect.  

I used to dread the "now what?" phase - maybe even avoid it by having a steady barrage of other things lined up, however I've come to respect it as an important part of the journey.....and with some effort, even enjoy it.  Although it feels more natural at times to want to push and push and push, the more the science of achievement and performance comes to light, the more the evidence piles up that seasonality and phased effort is one of the very best strategies for long-term success.  Although mine happens to be athletic in nature, like most things, athletic pursuits are not required.  Rather, the only requirement is a pursuit that entails a long, steady focus and effort to achieve.....so there are countless things in life that fit the bill.  A big project at home maybe, an educational pursuit (degree, etc), a project at work, or in some cases a career itself. If you've ever taken on something truly long-term, it's easy to love the idea of always going full speed - attacking the problem with everything you've got until it's done.....and in the case of shorter term endeavors it works well......but not nearly as well on the long term......focus, energy and attention are growable, but ultimately finite resources, so endure (long-term success) can't easily happen without the right balance of inputs (push) and recovery (pull back).  Push the system slightly beyond it's "norm" and then pull back long enough to grow.

This can apply to the physical - tissue gets stronger during recovery not during exercise; This can apply to the neurological - neurons reinforce network circuits not while we press, but while we rest; and this can most definitely apply to the emotional & creative - "a-ha" or breakthrough moments (as described and researched by folks like Herbert Benson, MD of Harvard Medical School in his book "The Breakout Principle") are far more likely to occur after a person backs down from the stressor and momentarily "lets go" - than when they attempt to push harder.

Of course, just because the science says so doesn't make it easy per se.  Making recovery a valued part of the equation is a skill that needs nurturing and development as much as any other.  Starting slowly and building up is the only surefire way to make it a strength.  It's still "strength training" an active pursuit not a passive one....so long-term, steady effort in pursuit of mastery will lead to grit and resilience in this area just like any other.  The key is planning it in.

And so.....with a few more days left in the land of "Rs".....I think I'll leave it there and get back to it.

Have a great week,

Mike E.