Grit: Doing Hard Things

In the pursuit of my multi-year goal to run a half marathon in all 50 states, I just took MA off the list last weekend. Prior to taking the challenge, I have definitely been a fair-weather runner. I knew this would have to change since most races are rain or shine. So far, I’ve been lucky to have had good weather on race days. However, this one was a rainy day. I know that bad weather doesn’t have to result in having a bad race, but it definitely put me in a very bad mood. They say that runners are hardy folks who brave the elements and go out and get it done no matter what. But I was in the car until the very last-minute debating whether to get out and run.

To me, running in the rain is the worst. Yet, all around me, the local residents were merrily walking towards the start line demonstrating that Yankee spirit of wit and grit. So, I decided to not be the wimp from California and suck it up and do it. Doing hard things is, well, hard. Repeatedly along the 13.1 miles course, I asked myself “Why? What are you doing here?” The life lesson I keep learning the hard way is that as bad as it feels in the moment to exert myself physically and mentally, it is a gift and a privilege. There is no better way to find the strength within me than to power through challenges. Ultimately, it is doing the hard things that build the capacity to make transformational changes. I found myself chanting the mantra: “I don’t have to do this. I get to do this” all the way to the finish line. This simple reframing helped me foster a more gracious mindset, that of wonder and appreciation. I was able to break free from the “poor me” mentality to regain a sense of self-agency and ownership, of being in the driving seat to not only finish the race but to also find joy in the moment. I was able to rise above and find peace and clam in the hypnotic sound of heavy rain falling, runners’ feet splashing water, and the cheering of the spectators who came out in the rain to support the runners.

How to do hard things? Call upon your grit.

Angela Duckworth’s Grit was my lifeline during the Twin Lights half marathon, a source of inspiration and motivation throughout the race. It lit a fire in me to conquer the course.

I kept thinking about growing grit from the inside out, 3 things in particular came to mind:

1. Everyone has to do hard things. It’s good to train those mental endurance muscles.
2. I can quit my goal, but only after putting in the effort, not because of having a bad day.
3. I picked my goal, and I am strong enough to push through the discomfort.

The runner next to me at the start line told me that I would only hate the first 5 minutes. True. But I was miserable the whole time. But then again, grit isn’t built by doing things that are easy or comfortable. Cultivating grit is like running long distances. There is no instant gratification. Sweat and tears will be shed along the way.

Got grit? Here is how I found my inner GRIT:

Gratitude: reminding myself that I set a worthy goal for myself, and that it is a wonderful privilege to be able to travel and run races.

Refinement: reminding myself that while I cannot control many aspects of the race, I am in control and can make physical and mental adjustments along the course.

Impact: reminding myself that pain is temporary, and that every race, no matter how hard, is just a piece of the process. It is another building block of growth and success.

Trust: reminding myself that I can do hard things, that I have the strength to get through one tough race for the greater goal.

But why do hard things?

I believe wholeheartedly that doing hard things fuels personal and professional growth. Sure, the comfort zone is comfortable and safe, but it is the place where dreams remain unfulfilled. Staying there for too long leaves that extraordinary potential within dormant and unleashed.

When you dare yourself to expand and take on big challenges:

1. You open up new possibilities, and often achieve better outcomes.
2. You build resilience, self-confidence, and self-efficacy.
3. You learn how to turn suffering into success.

Why try? Dr. Seuss’ quote sums it all up: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Setting worthy goals will make you come alive and move into wholeness and authenticity as you become a better version of yourself.

3 Tips for Doing Hard Stuff:

1. Be strategic in figuring out what Big Hard Ambitious Goal you want, or need, to achieve.
2. Commit to doing one hard thing a day towards your goal.
3. Mind your mindset and reframe “I have to” to “I get to.”

And since today is May 4th, I encourage you to do one hard thing and May the 4th Be with You!