My first 50k!

It’s been a week since my first (yes, I’ll be doing more) 50k ultramarathon. Today, I reflect throughout the day at about which mile I was on at various times throughout the day, how I was feeling, what was going through my mind, the time I crossed the finish line, and the recovery. The weather was perfect; 60s, cloudy, and a little rainy with the emergence of sunshine by afternoon, and unless I get hit in the head and have severe memory lapse, I’ll never forget my first 50k, the Playin’ Possum 50K at Delaware State Park. (Although I’m sure every event with a lot of K’s will have memories worth noting.) 

The Playin’ Possum 50K is an amazing event that is the brain child of a couple of amazing trail dudes, Mark Carroll and Chad Heald. The course is beautiful and relatively flat as it winds through the woods, across the dam (hate that dam), through a wildlife preserve, and just a little bit of road (I deemed one gravel road ‘the road to hell’). Despite the beauty of the surroundings the 50K is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Yes, even harder than giving birth. It was longer than labor and there was no epidural. I’m looking forward to running Possum again. I taped up well and even walked away without any blisters and minimal chaffing. I only wished that I had two bras on (being a DD is hard when you’re a runner), and a shirt that dried faster. At some points of the race I was chilled because my shirt was soaked from sweat and rain. Annoying.  

All taped up! 

Although I did not hit my time goal of 7 ½ hours I did manage to squeak through the finish line at 7:59:54. It’s hard for me to not be hard on myself as I look at those numbers but considering the circumstances (hold that thought..) I’ll take it. I am a goal-oriented person and when I miss a goal it is tough to chew. But I am also smart enough to know that you have to take the bad with the good sometimes and look at getting better for next time. Chuck it as a learning experience and improve from there. I was on target for my goal till about mile 23 when a foot injury from a month earlier reared its ugly head and decided to remind me “Hey, remember when you injured me last month? Here I am! Don’t forget about me.” It just added to the mental exhaustion I was trudging through and almost brought me to tears. The agonizing and shooting pain was enough to slow my pace significantly for the remainder of the race. Thus, taking me off the mark for my goal. It is what it is. Move on, right?

Here’s a little recap of what I experienced at various moments through the miles:

Slow start (that’s normal for me) and lower leg burning to work out before running smooth. The pack of runners were ahead of me and I didn’t care. I know enough to not give a shit about anyone else’s pace, and knew that the pack would thin out eventually. It’s fitting for me because I’ve always been a lone wolf versus a sheep in a herd. It is what it is. Carry on.

My lungs were finally ‘warm’ at mile 2.19. Yep, I looked down at my GPS at the exact moment I could feel comfort in breathing and ability to take a lungful of air.  #asthmasucks

My right hip and glutes were letting me know that I don’t spend enough time on flexibility training and with my foam roller by mile 8. Let the mental games begin. Experience has taught me that your body will get pissed off and you have to convince it to keep moving no matter what. You convince your body that what you’re doing to it is good. I kept my pace and began focusing more on rhythmic breathing (a technique I practiced throughout the 31 miles). But at the same time I was up on that stupid dam that just seems to go for miles and miles. A sense of relief when you get off the dam, just so you know. It’s the small victories we’re thankful for in running.

I became quite the cranky Cat on mile 11 when I experienced the infamous ‘hitting the wall’. Annoyed, I pulled out a raw bar and electrolyte gel and pushed through the wall. No time to stop.  Mile 12 was on the ‘road to hell’ and thus, the crankiness continued but I was driven to get off of the stupid road and didn’t stop. My mantras; ‘pace, stay on pace’ and ‘keep moving, just keep moving’.

Thanks to a wonderful stitch cramp in my left side I walked mile 13. I still continued to focus on breathing and popped an Advil Cold and Sinus tablet (helped my hip/glute and runny nose). I took the time to practice fast-paced walking to get me through. Now back to the dam…The return is not as daunting as the first pass so the run back seems to have a new perspective as you’ve almost reached the ½ way point and start to run numbers through your head on how far you’ve come, your time, gauge what the second ½ will be like, and foresee a finish time.

At mile 15, I practically sprinted. Feeling a new sense of awesomeness, I ran with it and got off that damn dam! Woohoo! Back to the woods! One mucky creek crossing later I felt great by mile 18 at the aid-station check-in, said hello to my Italian friend, Luca, and old Rogue CF friend Nick Longworth (who introduced me to trail running back in 2008), and kept on moving. This break was much needed as my mental toughness needed a break.

Feeling good at mile 18!

Life was good and I kept on moving to my favorite part of the entire course: the serene and wooded Mink Run, Briar Patch, Lakeview, and Big Foot trails. Ahhh, my weekend stomping grounds. At mile 19, I felt like crying tears of relief because I had reached a state of relaxation and didn’t want to go back to the mental tough game that I knew would return at some point. My brain was exhausted. Like visiting an old friend I pushed though the familiar trails knowing where the tree roots were, where the mud pits were, where the low hanging branches were. Good times.

I checked in at mile 22 and despite exhaustion, life is still good. Keep moving. Head up through the Bigfoot trail (one of favorites as it has a section of canopied trees that shelter you), I hit mile 23 and BOOM! My left foot injury becomes incredibly irritated and I feel like any healing I’ve done the past month has all been undone. If you heard F-bombs and agonizing noises on the Bigfoot trail, that was me. Not only was I forced to reckon with the pain but because of the pain I had to change my gait and compensate by putting additional weight on my other leg. My other leg (the same as the pissed off hip/glute) was holding as strong and fighting fatigue as much as it could. This shift gave me ‘trail toe’. A black toe nail on my right foot. 

Having an injury is where mud on the trail can be more dangerous than usual because of the instability in the mud, your feet and ankles are subject to even more strain, and the injured foot at this point is not dealing with instability very well delivering shooting pain every step of the way. It obviously poses a challenge that is 100 times harder than usual. Part of the [many] beautiful aspects of trail running is the constant varied movement needed to adapt to the terrain. It challenges you. Simply. The core is actively engaged the entire time. Your body is shifting and adapting the entire time. Your brain cannot lapse or zone out because of tree roots, wildlife, mud, downed trees, uneven terrain, etc. The element of being in a steady-state is almost non-existent. We’ve all been there and have scars to show where we ‘goofed’ and tripped over a tree root or two. In a race for time, you’re pushed to stay focused even more to avoid a goof that could take you out of competition altogether. Rookie mistake.  

Mud! 

I checked in at mile 26, limping to the aid-station trying to shake it off. I refilled my water, finished my raw bar, guzzled a gel pack, and went about hobbling along determined to finish. Evidently, my determination was so obvious that a couple of the aid-station workers approached me after the race to make sure I was doing ok. Trail culture is awesome. Quitting was not an option for me. Don’t get me wrong, I pick my battles. In my mind, if I can walk I can run. And running small intervals with a lot more walking is how I finished. Bottom line, I didn’t have any fleshy wounds or bones sticking through my skin, so keep moving. Stay in the game. I’m not going to lie but I felt like crying on mile 27 because the pain was bad and my mental toughness was sick of it. But I stuck through it. DNF was not an option. “Just keep moving, just keep moving”.   

By mile 28 a much needed new outlook came over me. I was almost done. I was beginning the celebration in my mind which helped the last 3 miles seem like the shortest of them all. Limping along like an injured animal I partly trekked and jogged continuing to follow the little pink flags through the discus golf course and creeped closer and closer to the finish line. I emerged from the woods and there was my cheering section. Exactly what I needed. Major props go to my Italian friend, Luca, who pushed me to the end running alongside of me next to the beach to the finish line, giving inspiring motivation talk, and making me aware of where I was on the clock. To be honest with you, I totally forgot about the clock. He knew that when he pointed out the time that I would be determined to ‘beat the clock’. He was right. The inner competitor in me didn’t want to be the clock’s bitch. I had to beat it and I did. I squeezed in under 8 hours, and I all I could think was ‘wow, that’s a long-ass time to be running’ and I’m finally here. I survived only slightly broken. Inside, I was disappointed of my time but knew at that moment I was going to sign up for next year so I could beat that time by a landslide. Eff that clock and 8 hours.

Emerging from the woods heading to the finish line on the beach! 

My post-run recovery was good. Once I was ready, I took my muddy shoes and socks off, sat down and nibbled on some food. I sat and reflected on the miles, shared how my pace overall has slowed down the past year since I hadn’t been doing strength work, told my buddy Nick Longworth that this whole ultrarunning thing was his fault. My way of thanking him.

My buddy Nick. 

My buddy Luca. 

Proof I finished! Ha! 

The pain made it difficult to walk to the parking lot. I ate almost an entire pizza for dinner, chilled the rest of the weekend at home, and felt like I had a hangover. A 50k hangover, I’ll take it. 

Happy trails,
~Cat~ 

And so begins the training...

What's a trail girl to do when she approaches such a creek? She crosses it! No holding back. 

Not an obstacle but rather, an interest of agility in nature. 

3/28 – I feel like today was my ‘official’ first day back on the trails for a couple of reasons: 1-it’s the first spring run, and 2- it’s the first trail run since committing to the Playin’ Possum 50k in May. Yeah, I hit the trails a few times this winter but this time I'm running with intention and goals. My pace was a decent jaunt-pace of about a 14 min mile (turtle). I don’t consider that a fast pace by any means but the pace is the same I was running last season. I try not to fixate on my pace too much because with my asthma the pace is sometimes just out of my control due to limited lung capacity, and all. However, I do want to see an improvement in my pace this year. It's weird how a few years ago I was knocking out a 10-11 minute pace, and last year my pace slowed to 14-15 minute pace. I killed some hills, and for the first time in a long-ass time I didn’t dread hills. I told myself to “just run up the hill –get over it” a couple of times today, and didn’t let the hills get the best of me. I actually reached my Vo2 max on one of the big hills today. It was an awesome feeling.  A nice runner’s high hit me at mile four, and that in of itself is pretty kick ass rockstar feelin’. The weather today was decent in the 40’s and sunny. One thing I especially appreciated today as I took a moment to ‘feel it’ was the warmth of the sun. Ahhh, it felt awesome. 

 A couple of realizations from today’s trail run; 

1- I need new shoes (which I already knew but today’s run reminded me w/the pain in my feet). Just a reminder point.

2- I need yoga (again, I already knew that but my hips were like “Whaat?!”). Again, a reminder point.

3- I sometimes questioned running a 50k but then realized that the scenery will be more challenging and less boring than today's trail, and backing out is 'not my style' as it represents defeat.

4-  I captured the vision for some more business ideas to start an apparel company (something I’ve tossed around in the past but never really considered seriously, but a clearer vision will make it a reality).  

5- I reaffirmed what I already know in that I am and will always be an entrepreneur! 

That’s the whole ‘trail running girl’s perspective’ that happens when I run trails. Ideas come to light, realizations of what’s really important, what else I want to do in my life, and just letting go of any negativity while appreciating life to live it to the fullest.  

Happy trails,

~Cat~ 

Where the hell you (I) been?!

Wow! It’s been a long ass time since I’ve posted on my blog. I know I’m a total lame ass but being lame sometimes happens. Don’t snub your nose at me too hard. Well, a lot of shit has been going on in my life since my last post. Some of which is important, some not so much. Here are a few highlights: 

·         I realized that Adidas trail running shoes from 2011/2012 aren’t meant for more than 200 miles. Pfft.

·         I landed a new career, and more importantly I.LOVE.IT!

·         I got into this ‘bucket list’ mode and feel like 2013 is ‘my year’ to accomplish a lot of stuff (including deer and turkey hunting).

·         I signed up for my first ultra marathon (bucket list). Well, actually greater than my bucket list. My original bucket list running item for this year was to run 20k’s in my training and compete in at least one. Well, given my ‘over achiever’ self, I signed up for a 50k. Happy trails! I’m pumped!

·         I realized that no matter how hard I try treadmill running just doesn’t compare to trail running and my knee and hip manage to get pretty pissed off at about 5k. #wintersucks

• I attended my first rave. Although, drug free. Which is how I roll anyway.  

7               ·         I definitely appreciate a good bourbon more than (what I call) ‘budget’ bourbon. Same              goes for scotch.

·         Fatigue sometimes hits me like a Mack truck, and I can only trace it to hormones.

·         The clouds have cleared a little more as to what I do and don’t want for my future.

·         My hair is red again.

·         My A.D.D. still kicks in every once in a while.

·         I can eat bacon again. Well, at least uncured bacon.  

·         Organic coconut sugar rocks!

·         Life is still good. 

There's plenty more but "ain't nobody got time" to write all night about that! Needless to say, I’m pumped about the direction my life is going and could consider myself in a recovery of sorts after the past few years of ‘what the hell do I REALLY want to do with myself?’ phase. I’ll continue to post as I know I will have lots of trail time to collect my thoughts and share my perspectives in the coming months!

I post lots of trail porn on Instragram @fitcat296 

Happy trails,

~Cat~ 

Endurance, Challenges, Summer, and Scenery, Oh My!

I have come to the conclusion that trail running is a lot like a really, really, really long CrossFit WOD (minus the equipment, ripped open hands, and chalk, respectively). Enduring the hills and uneven terrain for extended periods of time is enough to challenge the most seasoned athlete. The constant need to be alert or suffer tripping over terrain (rocks, tree roots, downed trees, branches, snakes and various wildlife) is mentally challenging, and fun. At the same time the physical demands of enduring such alertness includes the ability to be agile in an uneven world on the trail. When a runner’s legs feel ‘heavy’, hurdling over a little branch can be challenging. Don’t get me wrong because I am certainly not discounting the efforts required for any athlete in his or her given sport. My ‘sport’ just happens to be trail running, and I know the ups, downs, and challenges well enough to know that it cannot be taken too lightly, and can be dangerous. Like any sport there are risks. Some risks are predictable, common, or expected but most risks are specific to the sport. Trail running has its fair share of common and unexpected risks. Either way, the satisfaction of when you finish your time on the trail is just as gratifying as beating your competitor in your given sport. Just my perspective.  

Moving on and speaking of endurance. I’m progressing nicely in my challenge of running 100 trail miles in August. I’m 10 days in and pretty much on target to finish my 100 miles by the 31^st. However, the over-achiever in me would rather have about 8 more miles under my belt at this point in case I find myself taking any extra rest days. I’m at 32 miles for the month after tonight’s 7.5 mile run. My new shoes rock (pictured above), and despite the little bit of tenderness in my left shin I know I would be worse off had I not bought new shoes last week. My trusty old trail shoes were so ratty, tattered, and ripped with worn-out insoles that my shins were hurting pretty bad. Now, I’m just dealing with a little tenderness on my left shin on the medial side where the tissue connects to the bone. It sucks, but I do foresee a purchase of compression socks and/or kinesio tape in my near future.  The good news is that it doesn’t suck enough to keep me off the trail. To be honest though, if a tender shin is the worst of my problems I’m not going to complain. I have taken a couple of rest days here and there as needed to allow healing. Rest is good for the body and good for the soul. Don’t ever forget that, but at the same time don’t ever find yourself taking so much rest you don’t appreciate it like you should and end up changing your lifestyle for the worse. Your body is made for movement and your mind is made to be challenged. Do as intended.

As a side note, I will say that it saddens me to see leaves falling on the trails already (it’s actually beginning to smell like autumn on the trail). The picture above was taken at one of the nature preserves earlier this week. Just know that I love summer even with its heat and humidity on the trail. I adapt better to heat and humidity than cold. Cold weather brings on different pains in my body that are hard to manage, and every winter I find myself one step closer to planning the big move to a warmer climate. Eventually, it’s going to be inevitable. I love Ohio but I’m mostly not a fan of winter anymore because of how it makes me feel physically. The question is where do we go: South where the heat and humidity is harder to bear or west where the heat is dry, yet super hot? South where the bugs are huge? West where there are critters like scorpions and rattle snakes? Wherever we end up, we’ve got to have green! I love lush green foliage pressed against the crystal blue sky. I’ve got about five or six years to scope out ‘space’.  Enjoy the scenery and take it all in every chance you get.

Happy trails,

~Cat~ 

No, wait! We're not ready for summer to end!

Wow. It’s August 1, 2012 already! June and July have buzzed by faster than I really wanted, and I know my boys feel the same way as school is set to begin in a few weeks. Nick’s summer is winding down faster than others’ because golf season is already in full-swing. Kyle’s been putting in time on the platform and competing on the local and national levels this summer with competitions already on the calendar for the remainder of 2012. In July I began running consistently again and was reunited with healthy addiction…trail running. Trail running is my drug of choice and like an addict if I don’t get my fix at least 4-5 days a week I turn into a fat zombie. I took some time off from the trails to focus on an Olympic weightlifting program this past spring, and my lifts did get bigger and better, but in my heart of hearts I prefer the life of a strength endurance athlete with trail running and girevoy sport. So, with a little bit of girevoy sport training and a little bit of CrossFit mixed in with my trail running I feel great. I try to get Olympic lifts in at least 1-2 times a week but usually end the workouts with a trail run.  After all, it’s not the best scenario when you run before an Olympic lifting or squat session. My Paleo diet lifestyle was cramped with beer this summer, but as summer winds down it’s time to get back on the Paleo wagon and get to feeling healthy and clean on the inside.

 The hills on the trails have been my biggest challenges this summer because as I build my cardio-endurance back up my asthma likes to fight me every step of the way. Despite the record heat we’ve been having here in Ohio this summer my asthma is more under control than last year but still challenges me. This year I haven’t had any days in which I couldn’t leave the house because of breathing problems. Woohoo, progress! A little bit of heat exhaustion and a couple tender spots in my legs has been about the worst I’ve experienced this summer. I may sound a bit nonchalant about such ailments but only because I have experienced worse in the past. Hey, at least this year I haven’t had any fleshy wounds due to my sometimes clumsy moments on the trail yet. Such progress has to be at least a little noteworthy!

I’m happy when I run. My family understands this fact and supports my ‘habit’. I’ve found a new online social group of outdoor sports enthusiasts called Tribesports and enjoy connecting with fellow trail runners around the globe. Although I run alone I’ve come to learn that local trail running social circles are pretty cool, too.

 I’ve stated before that when I’m on the trail my mind clears, perspectives are realized, and I get my zen on. I become the person I really want to be and approach life with greater purpose when trail running is part of my daily life. It must be those wonderful endorphins and trail running’s wonderful environment. My relationship with John is healthy, my boys are doing great, my career is coming along, and each day I am thankful for what I have in my life. Of course, I’ll always ask for more from life and strive to be better in my life, but at least I’m heading in the right direction. My mind-clearing trail runs and hill beatings continue to contribute to my life quests, and the natural competitor in me appreciates the challenges. As the wind-down from summer begins on this first day of August 1, 2012 I look back and appreciate the family, friends (old and new), reunions, my health, and trail time that have made summer 2012 a good summer.

Happy trails,

~Cat~  

You know, that uncomfortable feeling...

Feeling comfortable being uncomfortable? I hope not.

I sometimes wonder if I will ever be 100% comfortable in my own skin. I mean, as a thirty-something female I would’ve thought the answer to be yes by now. However, I believe one of the reasons I am not 100% comfortable in my own skin is because I am always striving to be better at everything I do, whether it’s fitness or athletic related, being better at being a mom, partner, or business-woman Ultimately, I really don’t want to be 100% comfortable in my own skin. My fear is that if I were to come into that state of being then I would stop doing the best I could at everything I do. I would stop striving to be better and seek improvements. I owe it to myself and those around me to do the best I am capable of and be the best I can be while continuing to strive to be better. Huh? That was a wordy sentence. The constant state of being a work in progress is healthy, and the concept of being comfortable seems uncomfortable.

People tell me I’m competitive and I often look at them wondering what they see that I don’t because I personally only find myself to be competitive with myself. I do my best to not compare myself to others because I know first-hand that everyone’s capabilities are different. Instead of comparing myself in an unhealthy competitive manner with others, I admire others’ capabilities and strive to one day at least be close to his or hers abilities in my own way, the best I can. The journey of continually seeking improvement is a good one. It’s a sign of personal growth. When one has reached the point of not feeling he or she needs to improve is when he or she will begin to descend in whatever it is he or she has become comfortable in.

Judging by the dreams I sometimes have in my sleep, there is still a little bit of an insecure redhead girl inside my subconscious. Dreams that include not being picked for a team or friend circles because I wear funny shoes, don’t have makeup on, or don’t have a good enough physical shape or abilities. We girls will be girls I guess, but this subconscious-mind somehow keeps my conscious-mind in check to continue to strive to be better at everything I do but I don’t read too much into it. Don’t get me wrong, the journey to continually strive to be better is not some sick way for me to seek approval of others. Honestly, I don’t care about approval or permission from others but rather care about testing my own limits and capabilities because I know in my heart of hearts I am capable of being better. The least I can do is my best. Anything less than my best in my mind is considered disappointing, and I hate the feeling of disappointing myself more than anything. The challenge from that carries over to my expectations of others. I often find myself holding others to my own standards and have to come up with ways to not be disappointed by others. After all, not everyone strives to be the best at what they do and their version of doing their best and capabilities is different than mine, respectively. I chock that into the personal growth category. As a parent and a coach I have high expectations of others but also am mature and wise enough to know that each individual has to ultimately look within him or herself to find their better self. I have come to the realization that I am not responsible for other people’s actions or thinking. I can only be responsible for my own. I am in a position to mentor and guide others but know in the end the element of free will is what makes us unique, and that I have to focus inward to be responsible for myself.

I don’t see this thinking as a character flaw, but view it as an opportunity to influence others in some way, and as more of a leadership characteristic. Natural born leader? Not this chick. I arose from adversity and life-changing events to find myself on this path. I believe that leaders are made, and leaders are developed. The concept of being uncomfortable with being comfortable only helps me improve in various areas of my life and is my own leadership trait that I use for motivation. However, don’t get too comfortable being uncomfortable.

I have recently realized that visions of the big picture clouded my vision to accomplish the small objectives it takes to be a part of the big picture. I am of the thinking that accomplishing big goals is best done by knocking out the small steps it takes to get there first. Chewable chunks, one bite a time, however you want to phrase it. Losing sight of what’s in front of you and what needs to be accomplished at the given moment will not make you a part of the big picture. In business school and business planning there is a lot of emphasis on an entrepreneur’s or company’s vision. There should be more emphasis on not getting wrapped up in the vision to a point that one loses sight of the objectives it takes to accomplish the highly regarded vision. Visions change. Dreams change. Humans adapt. The best way to do that, at least in my corner of the world, is to focus on chomping away at the objectives and tasks at hand on a daily-basis using strategies best suited for the individual. Staying uncomfortable now brings out the best in people and often re-shapes their vision. Take a moment to self-reflect and determine what areas of your life you need to improve upon. Develop personal strategies to adapt and look at improvements one step at a time. Realize you won’t know every step along the way and risk is part of the life cycle. Embrace the concept of being uncomfortable with yourself and in your own skin for it will inevitably lead to personal growth.

~Cat~

What do you fear?

Do you fear rejection or do you fear success? That’s a question most people don’t think about enough. Oftentimes, we don’t ask for what we want for fear of rejection. At least that’s how it appears on the surface. But if you look deeper, chances are the underlying issue could be fear of success. But why, why would someone fear success? Isn’t achieving success our ultimate goal in life?  We are programmed to work and be successful in relationships, hobbies, personal interests, keeping a clean house, staying organized, academics, business, etc. no matter the size of the coveted success. Success is that ultimate accomplishment in life that calls for celebration. I could go on and on about how we are taught from an early age the value of being successful but you get the point. Bottom line: sometimes we just aren’t ready for success of great proportions. This can be because of any number of reasons but I think that one of the main reasons is because of lack of understanding on how to handle success because there may be no real plan in place to move you and your business forward to carry success to the next level. That ponders the question: How much success is enough? Do you settle for a certain amount of success, or do you continue to strive for more? I believe that striving for success and accomplishing success is a constant evolving element in life, but ultimately, it depends on the person’s goals. Assuming he or she has definitive goals and knows which direction they are heading in, personally and professionally. Setting goals and making plans does not ensure success and success is not totally dependent on planning and goals. Moving success forward to something even bigger requires planning and goals.

Think about when you NEED to get something done and the task requires asking for help or input from others. Chances are you don’t give the fear of rejection a second thought when asking for what you need because you are so focused on getting done what needs to be done that you do whatever it takes to get it DONE. This mentality makes me consider the differences between wants and needs. When we need something, we get it. When we want something, eh, we may not pursue it with such determination, especially if it’s not an easily attainable want. So, is the fear of rejection based on wants? I would like to think that there is an element of fear attached to rejection when pursuing a want versus pursuing a need. When we are focused on needs, we focus on success and accomplishment, not rejection. You’re never going to get what you need on your own if you don’t make the pursuit a priority to succeed in getting what you need.  So, if you want success is it harder to get what you need to accomplish your goals? Just know that if you need success you are more likely to accomplish what you want in order to get what you need. Side note: if you don’t have a plan in place with set objectives to carry goals and success forward forget about celebrating anything long-term. Short-term, quick shot success will be about as far as you’ll get. Move on to a need and away from the want. Do we need success to validate ourselves? Not really. Success is in the eye of the beholder and one should not focus on what others’ consider to be success, but rather focus on moving forward in life, making a difference, and finding satisfaction in what he or she has achieved.  

A.D.D. Moment: This takes me to another psychological approach that many businesses use when working to accomplish sales goals, quotas, etc. (needs). There are some business motivators out there who will coach you to ‘go for the no’s’. Well, that’s great on the surface but if you look deeper that mentality can lead to settling for mediocrity or failure. You see, the problem with going for no’s and making it your main focus (especially in prospecting) is that we get satisfied with making a ton of calls and receiving a subsequent amount of no’s. I don’t know about you but isn’t it more important to NOT take the no’s personally and strive for the yes’s? Mediocrity is not something one should settle for in life, but maybe that’s just me. The mental strength to not take the no’s personally far outweighs striving to achieve the no’s when considering success in business, whether in prospecting, sales, or seeking help from others.  You can tell me NO all you want. I’m not responsible for your decisions. I’m responsible for a plan to move forward.  I’m responsible for my own success and failure, not yours. Considering this approach, I don’t fear rejection. I will only fear success if I don’t have a plan or goals with set objectives in place. How do plan on handling rejection and success? To be continued in evolutionary proportions…

~Cat~