Now the clocks have sprung forward, I have enjoyed two early'ish morning runs, although I haven't had to revert to the old head torch again, yet.
Yesterday, I went out for a quite pacey (for me) five-miler, which was fantastic.
I saw my four-month-old granddaughter on Saturday for the first time in about five weeks. My, how they change so quickly when they're that little!
What really struck me was how wide-eyed and attentive, although often very briefly, babies are at that age.
Compare that with how narrowly us adults usually look at things, judging, interpreting, writing off or thinking we already know.
How refreshing it would be if we all looked with such wide-eyed and attentive eyes, ears and feelings, suspending our judgements, interpretations, and our thinking that we already know.
We might well discover something new...
Monday 28 March 2011
Saturday 26 March 2011
Being Tony
I enjoyed a lie-in this morning and went out for a little over 2 miles. Weather cloudier today, but pretty warm. All in all a really nice run.
On my run this morning, David Hemery's quote "There is a spark of greatness in everyone" crossed my mind, as well as the phrase "Draw a line in the sand" from the excellent book ReWork, which is one of several that I'm juggling with reading at the moment.
I do believe that there is a spark of greatness in everyone. That greatness may not mean world records, fame, or acclaim, but nevertheless it's in there.
Drawing a line in the sand is about deciding what you stand for and not compromising on that in any way, shape or form.
My ruminations on my run led to the thought that I stand for that spark of greatness in everyone, and my line in the sand should be about acting from my chosen side of that line always.
Do I do that now? No, I don't think so.
Do I do it a lot? Yes, I think I do.
My challenge, and it is a challenge, is to be able to do that every single time and in every single moment.
Will I achieve it? Probably not every single time, like when I'm tired, upset, sad, sick or overwhelmed.
But when I fail, my challenge is to redraw that line in the sand, this time even deeper and recommit a hundred per cent.
I think that acting from my chosen side of the line of greatness is where my greatness lies.
And that for me is what Being Tony is all about. That is what it means for me to be true to myself.
On my run this morning, David Hemery's quote "There is a spark of greatness in everyone" crossed my mind, as well as the phrase "Draw a line in the sand" from the excellent book ReWork, which is one of several that I'm juggling with reading at the moment.
I do believe that there is a spark of greatness in everyone. That greatness may not mean world records, fame, or acclaim, but nevertheless it's in there.
Drawing a line in the sand is about deciding what you stand for and not compromising on that in any way, shape or form.
My ruminations on my run led to the thought that I stand for that spark of greatness in everyone, and my line in the sand should be about acting from my chosen side of that line always.
Do I do that now? No, I don't think so.
Do I do it a lot? Yes, I think I do.
My challenge, and it is a challenge, is to be able to do that every single time and in every single moment.
Will I achieve it? Probably not every single time, like when I'm tired, upset, sad, sick or overwhelmed.
But when I fail, my challenge is to redraw that line in the sand, this time even deeper and recommit a hundred per cent.
I think that acting from my chosen side of the line of greatness is where my greatness lies.
And that for me is what Being Tony is all about. That is what it means for me to be true to myself.
Wednesday 23 March 2011
The confidence trick
Absolutely gorgeous morning kicked off with an aperitif of fifteen minutes journal writing, followed by a mile-and-a-bit running starter, and then two main courses of business networking. A good healthy way to fuel my day.
I talked about confidence at my first networking meeting this morning.
In my experience, the people that I have been helping with their confidence over the past few years struggle because they think they're going to have to change to be something different than they are now in order to be confident.
Firstly they don't know how to go about this, and secondly they're not entirely sure that they want to change to be someone so different to what they are now.
The most liberating and inspiring part for them is when they find out that they can still be, and they need to be, exactly who they are. They don't have to abandon being nice, being kind and being caring.
Trying to be someone else never works.
You can borrow techniques from others that you see as being effective, but only if you tweak them to work for you and to fit in with your personality.
Who you are stays the same. That, for me, is the most important part and why it works!
I talked about confidence at my first networking meeting this morning.
In my experience, the people that I have been helping with their confidence over the past few years struggle because they think they're going to have to change to be something different than they are now in order to be confident.
Firstly they don't know how to go about this, and secondly they're not entirely sure that they want to change to be someone so different to what they are now.
The most liberating and inspiring part for them is when they find out that they can still be, and they need to be, exactly who they are. They don't have to abandon being nice, being kind and being caring.
Trying to be someone else never works.
You can borrow techniques from others that you see as being effective, but only if you tweak them to work for you and to fit in with your personality.
Who you are stays the same. That, for me, is the most important part and why it works!
Monday 21 March 2011
The night sky
The first day of Spring, according to some. It certainly feels like Spring right now, although it didn't at 6.30 this morning.
My legs are surprisingly sore this morning after a seven and a half mile run yesterday. After all my half marathon training, I didn't expect to feel it in my legs this morning.
On yesterday morning's long(ish) run I was thinking that I am surrounded by possibilities in my life all the time, whether that's from ideas that pop up whilst running, from possible interactions with others, from hearing something, reading something, seeing something or feeling something.
I miss most of these possibilities either from being too busy thinking, worrying or agonising over something else that's wirring around in my head or because my mind is not tuned to receive possibilities.
Sometimes when I'm hoping for something positive to happen I already have a preconception of exactly what I want it to look like, and I don't notice when it presents itself in a different guise so it passes me by.
The best place to be to notice possibilities is in a place that's called openness and curiosity.
It's a bit like letting the clouds clear on a dark night to notice the amazing stars that litter the night sky. They're always there, it's just that most of the time I can't see them.
My legs are surprisingly sore this morning after a seven and a half mile run yesterday. After all my half marathon training, I didn't expect to feel it in my legs this morning.
On yesterday morning's long(ish) run I was thinking that I am surrounded by possibilities in my life all the time, whether that's from ideas that pop up whilst running, from possible interactions with others, from hearing something, reading something, seeing something or feeling something.
I miss most of these possibilities either from being too busy thinking, worrying or agonising over something else that's wirring around in my head or because my mind is not tuned to receive possibilities.
Sometimes when I'm hoping for something positive to happen I already have a preconception of exactly what I want it to look like, and I don't notice when it presents itself in a different guise so it passes me by.
The best place to be to notice possibilities is in a place that's called openness and curiosity.
It's a bit like letting the clouds clear on a dark night to notice the amazing stars that litter the night sky. They're always there, it's just that most of the time I can't see them.
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Beyond the expected
Day 440 of my running a mile each day.
It's foggy here today, which is making it feel cold. Funnily enough, it wasn't so bad on my 6.30 a.m. run, but it felt colder later when I was out on my bike.
I was thinking this morning about the people who really inspire me, both locally and globally, and what I noticed that they all have in common is that they all go beyond what is expected.
In some cases these are people who help, or doing things for, others with huge amounts of kindness and compassion. In other cases, it is people who run marathons and go rock climbing well into their late 70's and beyond.
But they all go beyond what is expected by most people. They push the ordinary into the realms of the extraordinary, what a good friend of mine calls "a life less ordinary" (as opposed to a lifeless ordinary).
So, what could I do to go beyond what I, and others, expect of me?
It's foggy here today, which is making it feel cold. Funnily enough, it wasn't so bad on my 6.30 a.m. run, but it felt colder later when I was out on my bike.
I was thinking this morning about the people who really inspire me, both locally and globally, and what I noticed that they all have in common is that they all go beyond what is expected.
In some cases these are people who help, or doing things for, others with huge amounts of kindness and compassion. In other cases, it is people who run marathons and go rock climbing well into their late 70's and beyond.
But they all go beyond what is expected by most people. They push the ordinary into the realms of the extraordinary, what a good friend of mine calls "a life less ordinary" (as opposed to a lifeless ordinary).
So, what could I do to go beyond what I, and others, expect of me?
Friday 11 March 2011
Feeding the heart
I couldn't wait to get out the door for my run this morning.
I was sitting on my sofa just before 6.30 a.m. going through my morning ritual of writing my uncensored brain-to-pen-to-paper thought flow journal, which I do most mornings before hitting the pavement.
From my sitting room, with the dawn having just broken I was looking out over the tops of trees and roofs, watching a plane arc through the pale blue sky on its way to Gatwick airport.
I know it sounds rather poetic but I had a sense of wellbeing, gratitude and that "all is right with the world" that seemed to fill my chest, and I wondered how this feeling really does feel like my heart has physically expanded.
I wondered if I do all that I can to feed my heart.
I know that the aerobic effect of running exercises my heart and makes it healthier. I could be better with how I fuel it in terms of nutrition, but what else could I do to help it be open to this sense of wellbeing more often?
My writing does it, creating more "shining eyes" does it, being out in nature does it, reading inspiring books or articles does it, watching inspiring films or videos does it, sharing food, drink and laughter with family does it, music does it. I wonder what else?
My run was fabulous too. I went for two miles this morning and I pushed the pace quite hard, which felt great.
I was sitting on my sofa just before 6.30 a.m. going through my morning ritual of writing my uncensored brain-to-pen-to-paper thought flow journal, which I do most mornings before hitting the pavement.
From my sitting room, with the dawn having just broken I was looking out over the tops of trees and roofs, watching a plane arc through the pale blue sky on its way to Gatwick airport.
I know it sounds rather poetic but I had a sense of wellbeing, gratitude and that "all is right with the world" that seemed to fill my chest, and I wondered how this feeling really does feel like my heart has physically expanded.
I wondered if I do all that I can to feed my heart.
I know that the aerobic effect of running exercises my heart and makes it healthier. I could be better with how I fuel it in terms of nutrition, but what else could I do to help it be open to this sense of wellbeing more often?
My writing does it, creating more "shining eyes" does it, being out in nature does it, reading inspiring books or articles does it, watching inspiring films or videos does it, sharing food, drink and laughter with family does it, music does it. I wonder what else?
My run was fabulous too. I went for two miles this morning and I pushed the pace quite hard, which felt great.
Thursday 10 March 2011
The shining eyes game
It's day two of working in a coffee shop and I'm still loving it.
I wonder how much office space costs? A day's broadband connection and a supply of coffees, muffins and paninis seems pretty reasonable to me.
After saying yesterday that I'd only run two miles or less in the past week, last night I ran just over seven miles with the local Harriers, on top of the mile-and-a-third in the morning. And then this morning another mile-and-a-third.
I enjoyed last night's run, especially as I set the route for the first time in my irregular attendance at the club over the past (almost) eight years.
I read a blog yesterday that talked about a lady who has a contest with her granddaughter whenever they go out to see who can make the most people smile.
I rather liked this because I'm always drawn to people with big open smiles, and it reminded me of Benjamin Zander and his "shining eyes".
Benjamin's theory is that you can always tell if you're inspiring people by whether their eyes are shining. If their eye aren't shining, the question to ask is "Who am I being that their eyes are not shining?"
I feel the idea of a new game forming, how many people's eyes can I make shine today?
I wonder how much office space costs? A day's broadband connection and a supply of coffees, muffins and paninis seems pretty reasonable to me.
After saying yesterday that I'd only run two miles or less in the past week, last night I ran just over seven miles with the local Harriers, on top of the mile-and-a-third in the morning. And then this morning another mile-and-a-third.
I enjoyed last night's run, especially as I set the route for the first time in my irregular attendance at the club over the past (almost) eight years.
I read a blog yesterday that talked about a lady who has a contest with her granddaughter whenever they go out to see who can make the most people smile.
I rather liked this because I'm always drawn to people with big open smiles, and it reminded me of Benjamin Zander and his "shining eyes".
Benjamin's theory is that you can always tell if you're inspiring people by whether their eyes are shining. If their eye aren't shining, the question to ask is "Who am I being that their eyes are not shining?"
I feel the idea of a new game forming, how many people's eyes can I make shine today?
Wednesday 9 March 2011
Rest, renewal and troughs
I've not posted for a few days - broadband has been down, as well as the telephone line, at home.
So I'm typing this in a local coffee bar. I do love the energy of these places.
Even when I'm working on my own there is a buzz and an energy in a coffee bar that I find far more creativity-enhancing than working on my own in my home-based office. Also, variety adds freshness, which is an ideal nurturing environment for new ideas.
Anyway, on the running front I'm very much ticking over on my daily mile-and-a-third each morning at the moment. The mornings are lighter but still pretty cold for this time of year, and my energy levels have temporarily settled in a (fairly shallow) trough, but that's OK.
I always used to struggle with, and resist, any form of energy dip, but I can't actually think of any manifestation of nature that doesn't work in up and down cycles. And you don't get the up cycles without the downs. They are the opportunities to rest and renew.
The more I resist the troughs the longer I consign myself to stay in them.
The work of rest and renewal requires me to be present to the process. Resistance simply delays my acceptance of it being OK to be where I am.
So now that I know I'm here, it's time to acknowledge that the dream of the last Half Marathon has now gone, and maybe the time is right to be open to the creation of the next dream...
So I'm typing this in a local coffee bar. I do love the energy of these places.
Even when I'm working on my own there is a buzz and an energy in a coffee bar that I find far more creativity-enhancing than working on my own in my home-based office. Also, variety adds freshness, which is an ideal nurturing environment for new ideas.
Anyway, on the running front I'm very much ticking over on my daily mile-and-a-third each morning at the moment. The mornings are lighter but still pretty cold for this time of year, and my energy levels have temporarily settled in a (fairly shallow) trough, but that's OK.
I always used to struggle with, and resist, any form of energy dip, but I can't actually think of any manifestation of nature that doesn't work in up and down cycles. And you don't get the up cycles without the downs. They are the opportunities to rest and renew.
The more I resist the troughs the longer I consign myself to stay in them.
The work of rest and renewal requires me to be present to the process. Resistance simply delays my acceptance of it being OK to be where I am.
So now that I know I'm here, it's time to acknowledge that the dream of the last Half Marathon has now gone, and maybe the time is right to be open to the creation of the next dream...
Friday 4 March 2011
Guardians of the flame
I had to use the head torch on my run again this morning because I was due to be at a Headteachers' seminar on the London 2012 Games, called "Preparing for a Moment in History".
It was a very inspiring event with over two hundred school headteachers, Dame Kelly Holmes, David Hemery and a host of amazing young performers, including Kieran Gaffney, the incredible 14-year-old drummer who featured on "Britain's Got Talent" last year.
It was also the second time I had come face to face with Kelly Holmes in a week, after she placed my medal round my neck after the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon.
I found the seminar really uplifting.
It was the third time I had heard David Hemerey present, and I was as inspired as the rest of the audience, and also just as much as both the other times I'd heard him.
The phrase he used that really caught my imagination, which he attributed to Bruce Tulloh, the former athlete and coach, was that as coaches and teachers we are "guardians of the flame" of the enthusiasm of the children (and adults) that we work with.
What a beautiful image and an amazing responsibility!
It was a very inspiring event with over two hundred school headteachers, Dame Kelly Holmes, David Hemery and a host of amazing young performers, including Kieran Gaffney, the incredible 14-year-old drummer who featured on "Britain's Got Talent" last year.
It was also the second time I had come face to face with Kelly Holmes in a week, after she placed my medal round my neck after the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon.
I found the seminar really uplifting.
It was the third time I had heard David Hemerey present, and I was as inspired as the rest of the audience, and also just as much as both the other times I'd heard him.
The phrase he used that really caught my imagination, which he attributed to Bruce Tulloh, the former athlete and coach, was that as coaches and teachers we are "guardians of the flame" of the enthusiasm of the children (and adults) that we work with.
What a beautiful image and an amazing responsibility!
Thursday 3 March 2011
Follow your truth
After running nine miles last night with the Harriers, it was another very gentle mile and a bit for me this morning.
Twenty-eight miles in five days is something I haven't done for quite a while.
I do think my early morning mile works well just to get the legs warmed up and the blood pumping through, even when I do long runs the day before. No days off for recovery for me.
Although every piece of advice I read, particularly for someone in their 50's, states that it's critical to rest, my easier miles are my way of resting.
I do think that it just goes to show that there is no one size, or one solution, that fits all. We each have to find what works for us, and I'm not just talking about running.
I frequently hear the phrase, "Be true to yourself". I believe that one of the most important things we are all here to learn is what is true for us and what isn't.
Then it's about having the courage to follow your truth.
Right now, my mile-a-day seems to be true for me, and I hope it continues to be so for as long as possible.
Twenty-eight miles in five days is something I haven't done for quite a while.
I do think my early morning mile works well just to get the legs warmed up and the blood pumping through, even when I do long runs the day before. No days off for recovery for me.
Although every piece of advice I read, particularly for someone in their 50's, states that it's critical to rest, my easier miles are my way of resting.
I do think that it just goes to show that there is no one size, or one solution, that fits all. We each have to find what works for us, and I'm not just talking about running.
I frequently hear the phrase, "Be true to yourself". I believe that one of the most important things we are all here to learn is what is true for us and what isn't.
Then it's about having the courage to follow your truth.
Right now, my mile-a-day seems to be true for me, and I hope it continues to be so for as long as possible.
Tuesday 1 March 2011
What comes after mastery?
The first day of my fifteenth month of running a mile each day.
My quadricep muscles are still really stiff. I think I was being slightly overconfident by not stretching after Sunday's half marathon.
When will I ever learn when it comes to stretching?
I have now finished Daniel Pink's excellent book "Drive". In the book, Daniel Pink suggests that there are three key things that are most important to us when it comes to motivation.
The first is autonomy, which is not necessarily the same as independence. It's the ability to choose what we work on, when we work and who we work with, either within or outside an organisation.
The second key is to have the opportunity to develop mastery in what really interests us. This is the type of work that every now and then lets us experience the phenomenon that's known as "flow".
It's not about attaining mastery. Is it actually ever possible to do that? If it is, what comes after mastery?
The final key is to have the sense that what we are doing is contributing to something that is more important than ourselves and also more important than profit alone. This is what we might call purpose or making a difference.
Autonomy, mastery and purpose. Sounds like something worth aiming for, and in a funny way my experience in Sunday's half marathon ticked all those boxes.
My quadricep muscles are still really stiff. I think I was being slightly overconfident by not stretching after Sunday's half marathon.
When will I ever learn when it comes to stretching?
I have now finished Daniel Pink's excellent book "Drive". In the book, Daniel Pink suggests that there are three key things that are most important to us when it comes to motivation.
The first is autonomy, which is not necessarily the same as independence. It's the ability to choose what we work on, when we work and who we work with, either within or outside an organisation.
The second key is to have the opportunity to develop mastery in what really interests us. This is the type of work that every now and then lets us experience the phenomenon that's known as "flow".
It's not about attaining mastery. Is it actually ever possible to do that? If it is, what comes after mastery?
The final key is to have the sense that what we are doing is contributing to something that is more important than ourselves and also more important than profit alone. This is what we might call purpose or making a difference.
Autonomy, mastery and purpose. Sounds like something worth aiming for, and in a funny way my experience in Sunday's half marathon ticked all those boxes.
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