“Finish Stronger”
Finishing stronger is one of my unspoken daily goals. It’s not written on a to-do list, but it is in the back of my mind. At the end of the day, I feel satisfied with my accomplishments.
“Finish Stronger” is a part of a growth mindset. I aim to finish my day or whatever project stronger/better/further accomplished than when I started. While I like to aim high, but try to avoid burnout.
I work hard and I try to work smart (read about S.M.A.R.T. Goals), without overthinking things, and without making ridged “rules.” Flexibility is important when it comes to working hard. When we’re flexible, we can bend without breaking.
This process allows me to strive to do great things without becoming overwhelmed.
It is like running a race. Something could happen that can cause you to fall off-pace of your time goal. The obstacle could be the weather, an injury flare up, a bothered stomach, really anything could come up.
Being flexible and managing your goal is so important when something goes unexpected and you know that you probably aren’t going to reach your goal. Don’t give up and don’t throw out all of your hard work just because things fall apart.
Life is full of situations, like this example.
Make the choice to keep going regardless. Readjust your mindset and set a “plan B” goal. It’s okay. Be proud of overcoming the obstacle as you cross that finish line.
Here’s a quote that I really like:
If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.
Fred DeVito
I can develop a balance in life and learn how to truly take care of myself, so that as a mental health counselor and coach, I can care for others. Truly taking care of myself is its own win.
This approach also keeps me grounded in the present moment as I work towards my goals.
YOU CAN DEVELOP THIS APPROACH, TOO.
What else could the “Finish Stronger” mindset look like?
For me, this could look like sticking to my race plan, so I can cross the finish line feeling proud of my accomplishments.
I train and prepare for months for an event, every detail is important and adds up to race day success. I then continue to follow through by leaving it all out there on the race course.
There is so much to learn throughout the journey, the experience makes me a better athlete.
It is the same in life. Work hard, be prepared, follow a plan. But also, know that not everything goes according to plan and you will need to adapt. Life is a journey of ups and downs. Live and learn.
This mindset could also look like helping a client move to a better place than when the therapy session started.
Not all sessions end the same. Sometimes a person feels motivated afterwards, sometimes they feel drained from the work that they put in, and sometimes they feel uncertain about something.
It is possible to feel more than one emotion at a time. It is normal to have mixed feelings at the end of a session, but I think that a good goal to set up for sessions is to aim for progress. Get some work done. Try to leave off on a brighter note with actionable steps for moving forward until the next session.
The last example, it could look like tackling my to-do list, but when I don’t finish everything on it, I’m not beating myself up. I got done what I could with the time that I had, and the circumstances of that day. I deserve rest at the end of the day and I can work more tomorrow.
You deserve rest, too.
Finishing each day stronger doesn’t have to be something huge. Aim for the 1% rule. Do something 1% better each day. Make 1% progress on something each day. This really adds up over time.
Read about 1% better habits and goals here.
What will you do today to Finish Stronger?
Consider these questions to get started:
- What does your day look like? What would you like it to be like?
- Write it down – sort of like a “before” and “after.”
- Visualize the after.
- Following a S.M.A.R.T. goals format can be helpful to outline the process.
- What are your personal goals?
- Set 3 intensions for your day based off of that day’s goals.
- What are you hoping to learn or achieve from that process and accomplishment?
- Revisit your intensions at the end of the day. Did you complete them? Why or why not? Is there anything that you can do differently? If so, what can you do differently?
Story behind the video: Glacier Ridge Trail 50 Miler (2022). It turned out to be a nice day. We had rain all of the previous day and night, rain at race start, and drizzle most of the day. We were under a flood warning because of this.
The trail was a mud-fest with sections deep enough that it came up over the shoes. One section around mile 32, which we had to go through twice was flooded. Slow moving water crossed over the trail, up to our shins, forcing us to walk.
I stuck to my race plan all day and had fun. Things never go 100% according to plan in ultramarathons. My pace was slower due to the mud, but I didn’t let that get me down, I knew how to navigate that from previous experiences.
I Finished Stronger as 3rd Female Overall and 17th Overall. I’m happy and grateful for that day.
Related reads
The Meaning Behind “Finish Stronger” Counseling
Are You Working on Your Mindset Everyday?
Shannon Mick, NCC, LPC Finish Stronger Counseling
4 FAQ about Shannon’s Counseling Services
Are You Ready for Change? I’m Ready to Help
Do you want to work together?
If this article was something that really hit home for you, and you would like to work together on these things, contact me to let me know. My initial consultation is free.
I work with adults in Pennsylvania, and specialize in working with runners and endurance athletes.
Anxiety, trauma, and eating disorders are my main areas of focus.
Be well!
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