How To Get Past Your Breaking Point
It might be hard to describe now but you know what it's like when you're there. Your breaking point is your breaking point. You didn't pre-set this. It isn't up to you, but the way you get past your breaking point is what will separate the new you from the old you.
Sneezing.
Coughing.
Headaches.
Achey and sore muscles.
The question isn’t whether or not you’re sick, the symptoms are clear, it’s “how hard do I push myself?”
After trying both the “rest and relax” and the “push through it” camps of thought, there is really only one conclusion:
You need to find your limits.
Not "know your limits." That can only happen after you FIND your limits.
This means pushing yourself to the edge and let's be real . . . it's going to hurt a bit.
This is another one of those “unpopular beliefs, but it has served me well.
Push yourself until you break. Let yourself recover.
Now you know:
- You’re not made of glass
- Where your limit is
Without getting to the edge, you will never know if you could have pushed through it
Getting past the breaking point will give you the confidence to approach it again and again.
And it will inform the intensity and duration of your next mission.
The Navy Seals have a 40% rule.
Once you get to the point where your body tells you “I just can’t go on,” you will know that you actually have only gone 40% of the distance you’re capable of going.
When your body is screaming, you actually have 60% left in the tank.
Understanding this rule is a keystone in living a mentally tough life.
2 Minute Action
Set your timer.
Everyone has 2 minutes, that’s why this little segment exists after every one of my blog posts.
Theres no excuse.
I bet you can do push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups or burpees for 2 minutes straight.
This is a physical example but the skill is transferable to other facets of life.
Big things are made up of lots of smaller, actionable things.
2 minutes is plenty of time.
Let's start Monday off right.
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Feel Guilty: It Helps . . .
I crashed today.I have been overworking, for sure.Long days and few days off.I'm used to 60-80 hour weeks, but it can grind you when it's physical work or after too many weeks in a row.I took today off and I'm taking off tomorrow, too.The trick isn't just identifying burnout when it's happening, it's also giving yourself permission to take the time off.
Wanna make sure you kill your motivation?
Feel guilty.The trouble is that people like you, who care, are going to feel it no matter what.The trick isn't NOT feeling guilty, that's just going to create problems down the road.The trick is to feel guilty and THEN notice and regulate.
2 Minute Action:
Take 2 minutes and meditate today.Take 2 minutes and block off a day on your calendar that's just for you.You're the only one who knows your limits and what you need to perform at your best.