You can do more than you think

We can do more than we think. Not just in emergencies where we push through on less sleep and food than is wise. But when we really set our mind to it—we can achieve things that seem unrealistic or extremely unlikely by trusting the goal and letting go of the how.

Let me explain by sharing the story of my friend Vicky. After her husband passed away and she had spent four years as his full-time caregiver, she needed a positive goal and focus in her life. There was obviously more to it but that’s the gist of it. She wrote:

“The videos of the Leadville 100 MTB race were like flint scraping against the ragged edges of my broken heart. There was a spark. It didn’t take long to ignite a flicker of hope, something I hadn’t felt in months. I could do that race. I don’t know how I know, but I know. I should at least try.”

So she decided to race Leadville. A 100-mile race at altitude with very steep climbs.

The thing is, she hadn’t ever mountain-biked more than 30 miles.

So this wasn’t just a big goal for any mountain biker. It was a huge goal for someone with that level of experience—or better said, lack thereof.

When I met Vicky in June at a Dr Joe Dispenza retreat (see picture above), it was two months before the big race. So I got to see her last prep. Not just during the retreat when she trained even after the long days in the ballroom were done. And where I sensed she was on the verge of pushing herself and her body a bit too hard. From my work with Olympic athletes, I know it can be tempting to train more and skimp on rest.

Most of us tend to think we need to do more—which is probably a large part of why I even have a job. But I digress.

We stayed in touch so I knew what she was doing physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically. Yes, she was checking all the practical boxes of physical training, supportive nutrition and having the bike in top shape. But she was also leaning heavily on visualizing. She would meditate and imagine herself holding ‘the buckle’.

To earn the buckle, you have to finish within eleven hours and fifteen minutes. Any second later and you’ll be left empty-handed.

Keeping the faith

Setting a big goal is the easy part. Keeping faith that you can actually do it when things get hard or take longer than you thought is where perseverance and belief come in.

When I say perseverance, I don’t mean pushing your body beyond healthy boundaries. Save that for emergency situations. Nothing wrong with pushing through as long as it’s a deliberate choice and short-term strategy—not a way of living.

On the days when you’re tired or disappointed, your work ethic can keep you going. But it’s the belief that will eventually make all the difference. One of my favorite quotes sums that up perfectly:

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford

What will you sacrifice to get to your goal?

So when race day came, I watched the live tracker to follow Vicky’s progress. I would see her move up and down the pack and wonder what she was doing. (For a full play-by-play I highly recommend her blog.)

At one point I worried that she had fallen.

Given the time difference between Colorado and the Netherlands, the finish was way past my bedtime. So I went to bed sending her good vibes and hoping she would make it. Then I woke up to this text message:

Wow!

There’s so much in that message. I was elated she made it, and with such a close call. But for a moment I thought “What do you mean you helped a guy with his flat tire? What were you thinking?!”

Then I realized this made her win not only more impressive but so much more beautiful.

It’s about reaching the goal but also how you get there. What do you choose to sacrifice? Your health, your relationships, your happiness, your values?

When you reach the goal, will you be proud of how you did it? Not just the achievement itself but the way you got there.

Not to take some moral high ground here. But I was truly impressed Vicky stopped to help a guy—a stranger. It’s hard to know what I would’ve done—but it’s safe to say not everyone would have.

Later she told me she had pulled over because she thought he was hurt. Then she found out the guy had never changed a tire, so she asked herself “What would love do?”

A really powerful question—one I use myself from time to time—but asking it with this much at stake is remarkable. She gave him 87 precious seconds.

The path ahead is never straight

Her text stayed with me and I realized this was a great metaphor for life. Even when you make a detour, you can still get where you wanted to go—even if you paused to help someone along the way.

I know from my own journey that I often take the road less traveled because it’s what feels aligned. I also know the journey rarely goes the way I think it will.

There’s always a surprise detour and someone to assist along the way. Or someone who reaches out to support me with encouragement or practical help.

What’s interesting is that, the day before Vicky raced, I was thinking about my own goal. Something that’s very close to my heart and has been for a long time. And I started doubting whether it was possible. I started thinking about the how. Which I know I shouldn’t. But I’m only human and sometimes I forget.

Over the years I’ve gotten much better at catching myself so instead of spending weeks or longer disconnected, I usually course-correct within hours or sometimes minutes. Because it’s not my job to think about the how. The Universe, God, whichever resonates for you, is much better at that.

Anyway, seeing Vicky succeed in her pretty bold goal reminded me so much more is possible than we think. Even with an unexpected detour and stops to help people along the way.

What is a dream or goal you have? Something that seems out of reach or too big to want? Maybe start by writing it down. There’s power to that—especially when you write it by hand.

Reconnecting to your dreams and desires is an important element of my Come Home to Yourself program. We start October 2^nd with a new group. You can learn more about the program here.

Only six participants so there’s room for real transformation and change.