paulradcliffe.me archive
Tag: Motivation
January 17, 2014
Blasphemy
There’s a piece of paper I’ve been carrying in my backpack for several months. It felt like it was burning a hole in my pocket because it was time sensitive. It was like an opportunity that was ticking away. Last fall I begrudgingly withdrew from the Berlin Marathon due to injury. I got some of my money back, and I didn’t pay for flight or hotel so I was glad I didn’t lose that money. When they sent me the cheque back with the partial refund they also included a “coupon code” and some instructions. So I had until January 4[…continue reading]
December 4, 2013
The Nature of Challenge
Some peers and classmates tell me that they don’t feel challenged by their jobs anymore. Because of that, they want to change jobs. I think about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Satisfy the base things of security, food, etc. before going onto others. There are higher needs like self-actualization and esteem and such. I find it a little counter-intuitive to jeopardize those base things to satisfy the things above them. Seems like putting the cart before the horse. There’s a great webcomic illustrating Dean Karnazes motivation to transition from a marketing executive to an ultramarathoner. He says there’s no struggle in[…continue reading]
December 2, 2013
Reality Check Fairy Ensues
Training is going okay. I’m making my regular posts on my Dopey Training. This isn’t a post about training, or even running in general. It’s almost a wishlist, but not really. Damn reality check fairy! I have such ambitious plans… Marathons, triathlon, french, PMP, courses, licenses, yoga, tai chi, martial arts. I’d like to do my own renovations. But there’s this reality-check fairy that taunts my thinking. It reminds me that there are only 168 hours a week. I work 35 of those, sleep 63 (hopefully) and commute 14 at least. Doesn’t leave too much time for all those other[…continue reading]
