I recently pulled Stephen Covey’s little gem of a book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, off my shelf and leafed through. Originally published in 1989, the book seems even more relevant today; many of us are reexamining our lives and what is truly important to each of us.  This is a good time, a time of much-needed change.

Twenty years ago the business community readily adapted Covey’s book but the Seven Habits really do apply to all aspects of our lives.  As I move back into running after injury I am doing so with a renewed sense of appreciation and quite frankly, purpose.  Perhaps that’s why Covey’s book struck a cord with me.  And so I started having fun with the idea of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Runners.

Here they are:

 

 

1)    Be Proactive.  Effective runners know that they alone are responsible for their own success.  The key to that success is independence of mind – not allowing difficult situations to overcome us.  These situations can be used to help us build our character, become better runners and help us deal with future challenges.  Rather than focusing on an injury or poor performance and being overcome with the difficulties, effective runners examine their situation, work through the options, and retrain both their mind and body.  Effective runners know that they can’t control others in the race. Focusing on one’s own performance and “personal best” is the most effective pathway.

2)    Begin With The End In Mind.  Highly successful runners are constantly visualizing their goals. Why do you run? What are your long-term goals as a runner?  What is your “true north” as a runner? What feels authentic to you? Do you want to inspire others live a healthier lifestyle? I see myself as a champion of a sport I know has the extraordinary ability to heal - mentally, spiritually and physically. My personal ”mission statement” is to teach others to find the courage within them to start. Some of you might visualize a series of marathon wins, or a career as a running coach.  The important thing is that you establish long-term goals that are in alignment with who you are as a person.

3)    Put First Things First.  It is really difficult to find the proper balance in life. It can be a challenge to see the preparatory phases for success as being just as important and worthy of your attention as the ultimate goals themselves.  As runners, we know that a combination of training, cross training and rest is essential to achieving the big wins.  Proper balance is essential in all things – family, work, running, etc.   Many of us are driven, “Type-A” personalities who rush through our daily tasks.  Making time and devoting full attention to the present moment is truly essential.  Sometimes this is not so obvious.  Are you someone who tries to take on everything in your household because you are the “only one who can do things right?”  Delegation is important and letting go is equally so.  Try setting a schedule for household tasks with your spouse and kids that clearly outlines responsibilities and expected outcomes.  Can you let go? Practice. Successful runners learn patience.

4)    Think Win/Win.  Runners tend to be really hard on themselves.  Months of training and preparation in anticipation of a successful event or milestone can unexpectedly end in disappointment through illness or injury. When this occurs ask yourself what you have learned.  What beneficial information can be taken away from the experience? For every so-called failure there is a teaching.  Effective runners do not allow sudden negatives to overcome them.  Ever listen to a 4^th place elite athlete talk about her race?  She is reflective about her training; she considers what she can do differently next time.  She has learned, but she is not defeated.  Highly effective runners learn from their mistakes, receive the information the experience provides, and move on.

5)    Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood. Though at its essence, running is a solitary sport, this “Habit” is still pertinent. There is certainly an internal dialogue we all run in our own minds about our running and our selves.  Becoming an empathic listener is important not only in our inter-personal relationships, but in our relationship with our own being as well.  What are the “stories” you tell yourself about yourself?  “I’m fat.”  “I’m slow.” “I’ll never make the team.”  “I’m not good enough.” “I’ll never improve.” The lenses through which you see yourself color your ability to see yourself as you really are – to say nothing of the ways in which you interact with others. Can you nurture yourself and your true nature without the negative dialogue in your head?  If you run with a partner, are you really listening to her? Can you be present for her without your own internal dialogue, fears, and preconceptions getting in the way?  Highly effective runners are able to empathize with their fellow runners and themselves. 

6)    Synergize.  Effective runners know that we are not all the same, and this makes us stronger.  An honest relationship with others and our selves requires trust and a level of mutual understanding.  Through trust, our differences become strengths. I learned this during my training runs with the AIDS Marathon Team.  I am slow out of the gate and require a good 15 minutes to warm into a training pace.  Many of my teammates started a lot faster, but we were all in our pace group as a team.  My pace team mates always slowed and waited for me…I was never left behind.  And later in the run when I had energy to burn and they were all slowing down, I waited for them, helped set the pace and encouraging a strong finish.  It felt so good to be part of a supportive group of people and it gave me the courage to attempt my first marathon.  Each of us plays her part; we are all essential to each other.

7)    Sharpen the Saw.  The final Habit really refers to the importance of balance – of nurturing ourselves to live healthy and remain strong by “cross-training” all the aspects of our lives.  As runners we understand the importance of building core strength, of maintaining our bodies and our health.  However, many of us get caught up in competition- improvements in a PR or distance covered - and forget the other equally important aspects of health and fitness – the mental and spiritual. So much of our sport is about the discipline of overcoming emotional barriers and physical blocks.  A balanced spirit is better equipped to handle all stresses.  There are a lot of ways to handle this Habit in an integrative way.  For me, I am going to start a Yoga practice this month as a way to nurture my spirit, re-connect with my inner voice AND support my running.  For you, taking an exercise physiology class, spinning at the gym or tutoring kids with their math might be just the thing.  Highly effective runners know that balance is not a “some day” nice-to-have.  It’s essential.

How effective a runner will you be this year?

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Tags: stephen covey, lifestyle, cross training, body, mind, spirit, performance, mental aspects of running, training, motivation