Thoughts From Day 366: Sr. Copywriter Talks Resolutions
January 12, 2017
Thoughts From Day 366
One year ago, on January 1st, 2016, I made a crazy resolution to run every day. Ok, for a self-proclaimed non-runner, that was borderline insane. In truth, I expected to fizzle out after a month or two, as I’ve done with previous resolutions (oh coffee, I can never quit you!). But this time, I kept going. And going. And 366 days later I had run at least a mile, outdoors, every single day in 2016. In snow, rain, heat and cold. In four states, and two countries. What? Who does that? Well, I did. And it turns out that I learned a lot during those runs. About myself, about running, but even more than that. I found I could apply a lot of my running tips to how I work as well. So, here are 7 things I learned during this crazy, tough, but ultimately inspiring, year.
There’s always an excuse. But you don’t have to take it.
It’s raining. Snowing. I’m too busy. Too tired (ok, hungover.) None of those excuses worked for me this year. After a 12-hour shoot day, when everyone else was headed out to dinner and drinks, I had to get a run in. I had plenty of excuses not to. But I did it anyway. (And then caught up with everyone and had that drink!) There are always excuses why a project isn’t turning out the way I want it to. The client, the brief, that Law & Order SVU marathon I got sucked into. I can choose not to accept those excuses. And once they’re off the table, the only option is to move forward.
Learn as much as possible—then do what works best for you.
Early in the year, I did a lot of research about running. What to eat, when to stretch, how to breathe, how to hold my arms (yeah, that’s a thing). Some was useful. But some just made running harder and less enjoyable. How I work is a lot like that. Everyone has tips and tricks and it’s great to learn how others snatch that great idea out of the ether. But in the end, I have to do what works for me. There’s no reason to build more obstacles for my brain.
Take advantage of good days, shake off the bad ones.
There were days that I felt great running. So if I had a short run planned, I would bump it up to a long one. And then there were days that weren’t so great. My knees hurt. Muscles ached. No sense doing a long run those days. And no sense beating myself up about it. I just tried to do better the next day. There are good and bad days in advertising as well. When inspiration hits—I need to take advantage! So what if it’s Saturday. Or 2am. While the idea well is pumping, I keep grabbing buckets. And when it’s dry, I don’t (or try not to) freak out. I just keep digging.
Don’t be afraid to walk.
I know, I know. We’re talking about running here, so walking feels like failure. I thought so too. But I learned to use walking as a tool. When I was trying to increase distance, occasionally I would have to walk in order to get there. It helped me stretch to reach my next goal, and soon I was able to run the whole distance without walking. Sometimes I need to let my brain walk a little too. Maybe take a smaller project or a lighter load. Heck, maybe even take a vacation. My brain and I will come back stronger.
Sometimes, let your mind wander.
On a tough day, I often found myself paying way too much attention to each step. To how far I still had to go, and how tired my legs felt. That just makes the run tougher. It was far better to think about a project, conversation, or even an idea for an article (oh hey!) and then suddenly I’m at the end of the run and I hardly noticed. When I sit in front of a computer staring at that blinking cursor, or in a room staring at my blinking partner, there’s nothing but concrete in my brain. But if I do laundry, or take a drive (or a run), or just do something else with half my brain, suddenly the ideas start clamoring for my attention.
Don’t be afraid to brag (occasionally).
There’s a reason why they are called bragger’s rights. I earned the right to be proud this year. I may still be talking about it in 2020! But I sometimes worried that I was posting my progress too often and annoying people. At some point I realized that if that were the case, let them be annoyed! I got so much motivation out of the positive feedback from my posts that there was no room for negativity. Friends and coworkers weighing in, or just hitting the “like” button, it all felt like one more person joining “Team Sara.” At times, we all need adult cheerleaders. Whether it’s out on the road, or in the office.
Stop comparing.
This year I must have said “I’m not a real runner” hundreds of times. I felt embarrassed and apologetic because I’m slow. Because I don’t run long distances. Because other people have had running streaks for much longer than my measly year. But you know what? There will always be someone better than me. I won’t let that diminish what I do. How hard I work. Because I can’t worry about being the best. That’s a very, very small target to hit, not to mention a fleeting one. Instead I am focused on doing my best. Pushing myself to be better and better. Because those people winning Gold Lions this year, were once sitting right where I am.
After this year I’m not some sort of running expert, just as I’m not an advertising expert after twelve years at The Martin Agency. I’m just someone who set a goal, plodded away day after day, and eventually reached it. And I learned a few things along the way. As of now, my run streak is still intact. And I’m sure running will sometimes be a struggle, just as my work is sometimes a struggle. But all I can do is keep pushing. Keep believing. And above all, just keep going.
