Self-Talk: Do you Stress Too Much in Anticipation?

Are you the kind of person whose self-talk stresses them out too much in anticipation of the challenge ahead? Or, are you cool, calm and collected?

My daughter, Taylor, and I completed the Las Vegas half-marathon this past week. It was very fun to do this with my daughter – as it was her 1^st half marathon and she recently started a marketing and sales role. It was my 10th half marathon.

Taylor and I had lots of discussions comparing running to sales during the training. Taylor realized that preparing and training were more of a mental effort than a physical one – just like in sales. We captured our thoughts before, during and after the race.

One thing we noted right away was how fascinating it was that our before self-talk was far lengthier and stressful than during the race itself. This is just like sales!

Before the Race Self-Talk:

The Las Vegas Half Marathon took place at 5 p.m. in the evening so we could enjoy the lights and nightlife of the Vegas strip. All the other half marathons (and even the one and only marathon I’ve ever completed) started in the early morning.

I have to admit, I was a nervous wreck when I woke up. I wondered how I was going to get through the next 10+ hours before the race started.

Taylor and I captured these thoughts during breakfast, on Race Day:

• We wish we could run this race sooner.
• There is too much time to worry and be anxious about this race.
• It takes lots of work and patience to practice positive self-talk when negative self-talk just keeps pouring into our mindset.
• A 10km would have been a better option than a half marathon.
• What do we eat throughout the day to build and preserve our energy for a late day race?
• We wish this race was on a Saturday night, so we could really party after the race and have Sunday as a recovery day.
• I’m sleepy… perhaps an afternoon nap would be a good idea – which we did!
• It’s difficult to be in a different city and time zone.
• We are over-worrying about possible injuries during the race.

As someone who practices positive self-talk and puts myself into stressful presentation situations – and has already accomplished 9 half marathons – I was amazed at how MY own mindset was playing havoc with my mental-being.

So, we took a nap. When we started to see people gather for the race corrals from our hotel room, we turned the negative self-talk into positive energy and mindset.

During the Race Self-Talk:

At about the 2-mile marker, we got into our groove – starting to enjoy the fun, excitement and the Run Through Wedding! Here were our thoughts:

• I wish we dressed up, other than our Canadian jerseys. The sparkly tutus would have been more fun!
• This is very cool to be in the middle of the strip – running with all the lights and dazzle of the casinos, people and nightlife around us.
• We just passed the 5-mile marker – We got this!
• At the 7-mile marker – we are over halfway. We got this! Ugghh – we still have 5 more miles to go though!
• It’s very cool to be running into the old part of Las Vegas with very tacky motels and wedding chapels.
• At the 10-mile marker, let’s focus on what we have to left to go – we are getting closer to the finish line.
• Our bodies don’t hurt too much! No injuries or pain.
• Start visualizing the finish line, just past Treasure Island and the Michelob Ultra beer.

As we ran the 13.1 miles, we never had any thoughts of giving up – we just kept focusing on putting one foot forward and cheering every time we passed a mile marker.

#Sales is just like running a marathon – don’t give up. Focus on putting one foot forward. And every time you pass a mile marker, make sure you celebrate. #Training #Running Share on X

After the Race – Breakfast on Post Race Day:

While sipping mimosas and enjoying breakfast in the warm sunshine in an outdoor restaurant, we captured these final thoughts:

• Yes, we did it!
• We didn’t have our best time/pace – but it doesn’t really matter. We are very proud of our dedication to the training and race day to commit to being healthier.
• Well worth it. Yet… not sure if we will do it again!
• Very proud of Taylor who committed to this race, along with her fitness and weight loss goal

Have you noticed what your self-talk and mindset is like in your day-to-day life? What kind of phrases do you have on repeat when you’re gearing up to close a sale or when you’re in the thick of it?

What kind of phrases do you have on repeat when you’re gearing up to close a sale or when you’re in the thick of it? #SelfTalk #Mindset Share on X

Do you stress too much? Do you have overpowering negative thoughts? I challenge you to notice your self-talk, write it down and look it over at the end of the day.