Just keep going

Matthew Glover
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read

Yesterday was Sunday, and it was a bit of struggle. It was a sunny Saturday in London, which is a rare and precious thing. So we took full advantage: BBQ with my sister, followed by two kids parties. Whilst not the wild hedonism of a long-forgotten (possibly imagined) youth, it led to too much sunshine (I am English, this is not something we get used to) and perhaps one too many beers…or was it wine?

Certainly no regrets, but a later night for the kids than usual (we were not home until 10pm!) meant Sunday did not see them on their best and most sparkling form. And a slight fuzzy head for me and Jess caused a certain friction between the demand on, and reserves of, our respective calm, patience and good nature. Nevertheless, knowing that this was the price we were paying for the joys of Saturday softened the blow.

My challenge was that, before our crazy Saturday had revealed itself, I had convinced myself that I was going to go for a run over the weekend: I have recently started running again and am trying to go three times a week. But starting a new job is tiring and I’ve not kept up to that schedule. However, having failed to go during the week, I was not going to let myself off so lightly at the weekend. After all, if I go over the weekend, I am more likely to go again during the week, and the more I do it, the more it will become a habit, etc. etc.

After some weak moments, I finally mustered the energy to go. And ran for half an hour. The first few minutes definitely felt like a struggle, and I was certainly not going to be setting any records, but soon settled into a rhythm and even started to enjoy it. By the time I’d finished I felt both energised from the run and satisfied that I’d completed my goal.

I guess the lesson is to just keep going. I could have made excuses that events had overtaken the logic of my original goals. But I’d have deprived myself of the health benefits and satisfaction of just doing it. So I’m going to try to remember how I felt both before and after going the next time I’m looking for excuses for not doing something.

Sometimes circumstances are sub-optimal (self-inflicted or otherwise), and whilst this might change what is achievable, it doesn’t mean you should give up.

    Matthew Glover

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