Ever had those moments when you seem like you are just working like crazy, yet you don’t seem to be making much progress? Or times when you have a goal you want to achieve and you keep putting more effort into it, only to fall short of that goal, or not even come close to completing it? There is no question the things in life we want we have to work hard at it. But there comes a point of diminishing return where you put too much effort into it, or work too hard for something, or for achieving a goal, only to have the results be even worse than you would have imagined. I will use me for an example. My goal has always been to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I have run a marathon now 17 times and have yet to achieve it. Those days now may also be behind me. But I thought that if I worked even harder, ran more miles, put in speed workouts, got up earlier to get going at it, that I would be able to do it. Somewhere in all of this sleep was sacrificed, or my body just said “enough”, and it could not keep going. Not only on some of those marathons did I not come close to a Boston qualifying time, I did worse that I had ever done before. This is where I say “More is Less”, and sometimes we have to figure out that “Less is More” may actually work better. Maybe working harder is not the answer, but working smarter! That may just be the key to everything in life. Work smarter, and those goals or dreams may actually have a chance of achieving reality more.
We all need to learn how to take a break. Whether that break is from exercise, our diet at times, or work. Sometimes we just need to listen to our body and take a break. I still exercise every day, but my recovery days are walking. I will admit this Winter I have done more walking than running, and that is ok. I did a marathon in September, and I think my body just said, “slow down”. How busy things have been the last 6 months (if not the last 2 years!) at the clinic also had something to do with it. I could go out and walk, and relax and unwind, but I did not have the energy to run. We finally took a break and traveled to Alaska a week ago. First time flying since Covid. Boy was it worth it. Perfect example of “Less is More”. Take it easy. Go hiking. Unwind. Get away from the grind of medicine. I got to spend quality time with Sarah. By doing “less” of our usual routine, it returned “more” energy and enthusiasm to come back and go at it again.
We still exercised every day, but it was different activity, and different scenery. We got to spend time together, and not at work.
That is why these last few years I have really gotten interested in pictures, especially sunrise and sunsets. “Less” pressure, “more” relaxation. “Less” stress, “more” fun! I am slowing down enough to enjoy the little things in life, only to realize the little things in life are the important things. We could all learn more on how to do this.
This double rainbow shot was from a few nights ago. I got poured on taking this picture. I had already been out to take some pictures, when it started raining, and then the sunset broke through the clouds, and this showed up. If I had not already been out there, I would have missed it. Taking “more” time to get away and unwind, and creating “less” stress, and “more” enjoyment in life.
My daughter and son-in-law came last weekend for a visit with our grandson Connor. Just getting back we had a ton of things to catch up on, but it could wait. I am not ever going to pass up time with them. I am totally loving this “grandpa” title. Spending “more” time with him makes it easy to have “less” stress and having “less” stress makes for “more” fun! It is impossible not to be laughing and smiling around him. Take a lesson from our grandkids. Slow down. Enjoy life! “More is less, and less is more!” Keep moving everybody and learn to slow down and enjoy the ride. It really does go fast!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day of New Streak: # 1092
