Running Your Race
by Rochelle Melander
“If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.” –Saeed Jones
Last weekend, I attended the funeral of my daughter’s dear friend. Alexis died at 23 from brain cancer. Before she died, she wrote her own obituary. Because of treatment, she lost some of her sight and hearing. And yet, she learned Braille, graduated high school, and begin training for a career as a funeral director. Despite all the challenges, she continued to show up for her life. She chose this verse for her service: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
At the funeral, the pastor said: Alexis fulfilled her purpose. She finished the race. Some of you still haven’t entered the race.
I can’t stop thinking about Alexis. Her courage. Her humor. Her tenacity. Her life and witness has inspired me to reflect more deeply on my own life.
Remember
A few weeks ago, I invited you to reflect on 2024. You considered when you were:
+Living your best life (Running your race!)
+Doing worthwhile activities (Performing race-adjacent activities)
+Wasting your time or energy (Running the wrong race)
+Sitting on the sidelines (Not entering the race)
If you haven’t yet done this work, take time to reflect on your life using the three categories above. When you are done, you will have three lists.
Vision
When I work with clients, I almost always ask them to do the “Best Possible Future Self” Exercise. Psychology professor Sonja Lyubomirsky discovered that writing about one’s best possible future improved moods, health, and ability to set and achieve goals.
This year I want you to do the exercise with a twist. Consider the core 4-5 areas of your life. If you’re reading this, you’ll probably list writing or art as one of them. The others might include work, relationships, wellness, spirituality, or school.
For each area, write a paragraph or two about what that part of your life would look like if you were running the race, living a “hell yes” life. Write in the present tense and use lots of sensory words so that it feels real.
If you don’t like your first go at this, do it again. Do it two or three times. Each time, imagine it a bit differently. Play with wild and crazy possibilities. Or imagine the same scenario in four different ways, trying different writing forms like a list or a personal artist statement.
As you write, pay attention to how you feel. If you feel especially energized and engaged during parts of your writing, note what you are writing about. What plans excite you? If any plans leave you feeling drained, jot that down, too.
Reflect
When you’ve finished writing, look for themes.
· What are the themes that show up in each vision?
· What creative projects showed up?
· What activities or plans feel like a “hell yes” to you?
Choose
Select one goal for each area of your life.
· What steps do you need to take to achieve your vision?
For the Win
The minute you scribble your vision in your journal, you’ve filled out your entry form for the race. You are one step closer to the winner’s circle. Just articulating your vision increases positive emotions like hope and optimism. But writing about your best possible life will also make you more likely to participate in activities and connect with people who are part of your vision. Once you’ve written about your heart’s desires, you can take the first small steps toward your goals.
A Note for the sideline sitters.
If you’re prone to sitting on the sidelines and watching, you may need the help of a coach and a team. I have three groups starting in the new year that will help you run the race.
Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She’s helped hundreds of people write and publish books. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/
