When your Path is Blocked by "The Wall"

How do you know you have what it takes? Of course, you don't, but clues to success always exist.

"Because some people see a wall and assume that's the end of their journey. Others see it and decide it's just the beginning." Angeline Trevena

With all taxing attempts, a time or times come when you have a choice – keep going, slow down, or stop. Of course, that last option is not the best one, but sometimes it may be necessary to get by and fight another day. When one's health is in serious jeopardy, it is a wise decision. Mostly though, for a cherished goal, one must find a way to keep moving forward.

In every marathon I've run, a point arrives where the dreaded "wall" is directly in front of me and appears at least 10 feet high. Yet, I haven't quit, and the reason is I have fought the longshot-odds before in my past. For example, I ponder the time my arm went dead at the age of 15, with it never returning to even the major league average. What remained was a second baseman's arm even before high school. The odds were squarely against me, and I never played another position in high school, college, or professionally. The Los Angeles Dodgers informed me upon drafting me that I was the first player they ever drafted as a second baseman, with most second baseman converted from other positions. I'm pretty sure that was not a compliment.  

Anyway, after patting myself on the back, here's the point. When you feel overwhelmed, look to your past, and there is a fantastic chance you overcame the odds at some point. Recall what it took to do it, along with your mindset before, during, and after. Therein lies the avenue to give your all and keep moving.

Of course, that is easier said than done, but the solution lies with this when you are battling the odds - do not let negativity pop into your mind, even for one moment. I never would allow the thought of my weak arm being an end to my big-league quest. The winner does not let negativity in – period.

Different from negativity is self-doubt, which is often a given with any problematic task. However, when the inevitable self-doubt arrives in marathon training and the race itself, I embrace it but not let it win. Instead, I fall back on my past and know it's ok to slow down, which may mean walking for a stretch, but stopping and negative thinking are actions not allowed.   

But, to the point, losing faith in self by allowing negative thoughts is unacceptable.

Finally, dreams wouldn't be that if they came easy.

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