Golden Nugget: Focus on what you want to accomplish. We tend to hit the target we aim at.

Daily Message:

As a runner, I have learned the value of focusing on the finish line and controlling my breathing. It is easy for me to become distressed and overwhelmed on a long run, especially on a hot day. It seems like when I get to that point, everything goes wrong: My thoughts are negative. My breathing is uncontrolled. I can focus only on the next step.

I’ve trained myself over the years to set a point on the horizon as my goal, to capture my thoughts and focus on what I can do versus what I can’t, and to keep my breathing to a steady pattern. I think of it as leaning into the pain instead of trying to escape the pain.

Paul said in Philippians 3:13–14, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of [my goal]. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.” We have to find strategies to manage our pain and keep our focus on pressing toward the goal.

Consider This:

• What type of pain are you currently trying to reduce or avoid?
• Are you setting realistic goals? Sometimes we have to adjust to living with a higher threshold of physical or emotional pain.
• If you can’t achieve zero pain, what level of pain can you live with?
• Can you identify strategies that will appropriately reduce your pain?

Take Action:

Set your eyes on a point on the horizon, a short-term accomplishable goal. Focus on realistically positive thoughts, what you know you can do versus what you can’t do. And breathe. Work on breathing management, which actually helps to reduce feelings of anxiety.