How to get out of a slump

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Good afternoon, 66.1ers.

Been doing some thinking on how to break out of a slump lately. I’ve talked to a few clients, friends, and colleagues, and am working on one myself. If you’re thinking things like, “How is it so hard?” and “Why can’t it just happen already?”, this one is for you.

How to get out of a slump: 

1. Cultivate, don’t chase
   
   Often, people working on a big goal think they just have to work harder. Effort matters, certainly. But big goals, be they financial, health, or relationship-related, take time. They take time because they involve other people and entities. No matter how hard you throw yourself at them, they’ll take their sweet time. Better to get right with yourself and the world, so you’re not miserable while you pursue your goal (and repel the people who would otherwise help you along the way). More in step 2.
   

2. Find your frequency
   
   For me, that looks like:
   -As much time outside as I can get while staying employed at Mayo Clinic and building the coaching side of 66.1
   -Kettlebell training
   I’ve found that kettlebells promote range of motion and core strength that barbell training doesn’t. I feel stronger when training with kettlebells and my joints don’t hurt as bad.

   -Time barefoot
   Fixes posture, strengthens feet and ankles.
   -Writing
   Nothing clarifies my thinking like putting pen to paper, the old-fashioned way.
   -Cooking meals
   The longer the meal takes to cook, the healthier it tends to be. Not always, but it’s directionally true.
   
   For example, a renewed effort to find my frequency had me going up Mt. Blackmore with my friend Casey this morning.
   
   

   

   
   

3. Be ready to be wrong
   
   Come up with a plan. Point your compass in what you think is the right direction. And march forward in that direction to the best of your abilities. Just remember, though, that you could be totally off. Maybe the business you’re building isn’t for you. Maybe the exercise class you joined isn’t as enjoyable as something else you discover along the way. Start, work toward the goal in earnest, and be ready to change directions.
   

4. Take a pitch
   

   Meeting on Thursday with my coach, Rick Roberge. Told him I was frustrated. He asked, in his way, if I played baseball. Sure did, all the way through high school. He then asked if I swung at every pitch. Of course not. Then he suggested I take a pitch in the business realm. Apply it to your health: are you training every day? Is this moving you closer to your goals, or are you running your body into the ground? Aside from sleeping, I don’t know of many things a human being truly needs to do every single day.
   

5. Unplug
   
   Literally. Get rid of social media for a while. Read a book. Go for a walk. Call a friend. Social media pulls you to live life on the rest of the world’s terms. It’s a popularity contest. And it’s free because the algorithm holds your attention long enough to serve you an ad. You eventually buy something. Your attention is the product. Not going to turn this into a social media rant, but have you seen The Social Dilemma?
   

6. Sharpen your swords
   
   Working on a big financial goal, but your income isn’t increasing as quickly as you’d like? No problem. Take this opportunity to shore up your current financial habits and “balance the karmic scales”, as a friend likes to put it, so you’re prepared to be a good steward of your future earnings. Working on a health goal (this is a health newsletter after all)? Let’s say you got injured. You’re out of your regular training routine for a few weeks. No problem. Now is a great time to double down on your mobility routine. I suspect your body will feel better than it has in a long time. And you’ll be ready to rock and roll once that injury is healed.

That’s all for this Saturday.
Have fun out there.

Marcus