The Rule of Thirds: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Success


Photo Credit Stefanie Anderson

The Rule of Thirds: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Success

Pursuing challenging goals or dreams is rarely a smooth and consistently enjoyable journey. It's natural to experience a range of emotions, including periods of frustration and self-doubt.

A helpful framework for understanding this emotional landscape is the "Rule of Thirds":

  • One-third of the time: You feel good, motivated, and confident.
  • One-third of the time: You feel okay, neither particularly good nor bad – you're making progress, but maybe facing minor setbacks.
  • One-third of the time: You feel crappy – discouraged, frustrated, or even doubting yourself.

If these three emotions are roughly balanced, you're likely on the right track.

Why this matters:

  • Growth often comes from discomfort: Challenging goals require effort and may involve setbacks. Feeling good all the time might indicate you're not pushing yourself enough.
  • "Okay" can be a trap: Consistently feeling "okay" can lead to stagnation and prevent you from reaching your full potential.
  • Finding the balance: While feeling down is inevitable, it's crucial to avoid prolonged periods of negativity.

What to do:

  • If you're not experiencing this balance: Evaluate your approach. Are you setting realistic goals? Are you adequately addressing challenges? Are you taking sufficient breaks and practicing self-care?
  • If you are experiencing this balance: Keep showing up, putting in the work, and remember that setbacks are temporary.

Key takeaway:

The Rule of Thirds emphasizes the importance of accepting a range of emotions as part of the journey towards achieving your goals. By understanding this emotional landscape, you can navigate challenges more effectively and increase your chances of success.

Want help:

If you are interested in working with a successful and experienced coach that focuses on a sustainable and holistic approach to running check me out at https://www.northwoodsrunning.com/ 

Photo Credit Bill Kelly


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