004 - The Coach Up: Why You Should Stop Your Workout (Just) Short
Jan 15, 2024
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Steve Magness discusses the concept of stopping workouts just before reaching a goal to develop mental resilience. He explains how this practice creates discomfort and anxiety, helping individuals develop mental toughness. He also explores how stopping a little bit short can be applied in various aspects of life to overcome anxiety and tension. Additionally, he discusses the idea of embracing discomfort as an opportunity for growth and learning, sharing personal experiences of applying this concept in daily life.
Stopping just short of a desired goal can create discomfort and anxiety, training the mind and enhancing mental toughness.
Embracing discomfort and refraining from immediate reactions can build mental resilience and improve the ability to navigate challenging situations.
Deep dives
Train Mental Toughness by Stopping Just Short
In this episode, Steve Magnus discusses a technique for training mental toughness by stopping just short of a desired goal. He uses the example of stopping a run at 9.99 miles instead of running the full 10 miles. By intentionally stopping just before reaching the goal, it creates a feeling of discomfort and anxiety that can be used to train the mind. The focus is not on the accuracy of the distance, but on the opportunity to sit with that discomfort and build resilience. This technique can be applied to various aspects of life, not just running, and can enhance mental strength for more important tasks and challenges.
Embrace Discomfort to Widen Tolerance
Another key insight from the podcast is the importance of embracing discomfort to widen one's tolerance for it. Steve suggests identifying situations or tasks that create tension or negative feelings, and intentionally refraining from taking immediate action or seeking relief. Whether it's cleaning a certain way, organizing items, or facing personal anxieties, the goal is to sit with the discomfort and allow it to eventually pass. By repeatedly exposing oneself to discomfort and refraining from immediate reactions, mental resilience and the ability to navigate challenging situations are strengthened. This approach can be applied to various areas of life, such as managing social media use or snacking habits.
Throughout his many years of coaching, Steve Magness has put together a unique set of tools for training mental toughness. In this week's Coach Up, he walks you through a clever way to approach the end of your workouts that will help widen your tolerance for uncomfortable feelings. Think of it as exposure therapy for discomfort, making it easier for you to approach difficulty in your everyday life.