Hitting The Wall
Anyone who has ever run a marathon or even a half marathon will be familiar with the term ‘hitting the wall’, it refers to a point in the race where you feel physically exhausted and probably mentally drained too, it is the point where you think “that’s it I’m giving up, stopping, packing it in”
There is a scientific reasoning behind this, something about the fact that you have ‘run out’ of the carbohydrate fuel in your body and so it starts to ‘burn’ fat instead and this is when fatigue sets in.
By eating the correct types of food (ie carbohydrates) prior to a race can dramatically reduce the chances of ‘hitting the wall’ but what about the negative thoughts that start to run through the minds of these runners?, this can also cause extreme weakness resulting in the failure to complete the race.
You may be wondering why I am talking about running a marathon, I am hardly an expert in this field though I did once run the Sheffield Half Marathon in 1 hour 31 minutes!
The reason I am writing about this is because I believe I have recently ‘hit the wall’ and no I havn’t been out ‘pounding the pavements’ I’m talking about my Internet Marketing business…
My last blog post was over a month ago and my eBook about writing ‘Killer Sales Copy’ is gathering dust, well if it was a physical book it would be gathering dust but you get my point!
For the past month I have thought about writing a new blog post, completing a chapter of my ebook, posting on other peoples blogs, posting on forums etc but the truth is I haven’t done anything – my head (mind) has been active thinking about what I need to be doing but I just haven’t had the ‘heart’
So I think I can safely say I have ‘hit the wall’ and I really don’t think a plate of pasta is the solution in this case!
I firmly believe that one morning I will wake up with the enthusisam and vigour that I had a few months ago when I spent every opportune moment doing something positive with my online business – I sincerely hope that the morning isn’t too far away but you never know!
I am off to Portugal for a holiday in a couple of weeks and although I will be spending my time splashing around in the pool or building sand castles on the beach with my daughter I will ensure that I have at the very least a notepad and pen to jot down any ideas that spring to mind while I am relaxing – sometimes this is the time when ideas come flooding to the forefront and you need to capitalise on these moments.
I would (if I thought I could get away with it!) take my laptop but I don’t think my wife would be too impressed!
I do believe that the best way to overcome these ‘barriers’ is to try to work out what it is that is stopping you from doing whatever you are trying to achieve – try to be honest with yourself and confront your fears, sometimes you simply need to take some ‘time out’
Well, I have managed a new blog post today and tomorrow I am going to read through my 70% completed ebook and try to finish one of the few ’straggling’ chapters that remain…
I’ll keep you posted!
Hi Andy,
I so resonate with everything you just said. That wall isn’t very comfortable is it? You know you should be accomplishing something but you just can’t seem to get enthused…I’ve been there.
That’s really when you need to get going because I believe that’s when the Universe is testing our resolve to manifest our dream. I think your vaca is exactly what you need…and besides, sometimes when I know I have a vaca coming up soon I loose interest and focus on anything I might be trying to accomplish at that moment.
Stay with it Andy…prove your resolve…I know you’re enthusiasm will get past this bump. I think we’re all experiencing it to some degree.
I’ll be back,
Kathy
Hi Andy
I wish you every success with getting over the wall. Keep taking those steps forward and you’ll be finished before you know it.
Have a great holiday
cheers
Steve
Hi Andy,
Totally agree with the comments above, and do not take your laptop! It sounds like you actually need a rest. Notepad is a good idea though! Just in case! It’s a worse feeling knowing you thought of something brilliant and can’t remember what it was! I believe we have all had this time when we have had a list of ‘things to do’ in our heads but haven’t taken the action – but here you are posting to your blog again. What is that telling you? And a 70% finished product is a long way down the road so feel good about your achievement so far. You need to reward yourself more. Have a rest and come back refreshed.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Perhaps now is the time to play ‘The Wall’ by Pink Floyd. winwenger.com has some good stuff on boosting creativity Andy. Check it out – call to action
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Ciao JJ
Hi Andy, totally agree with where your coming from , I was posting twice or three times a week to my blog but havn’t managed anything for about a month, the ebook just seems to grow and grow (about 80% finished),massivley behind, like the expression says life just got in the way. Decided now that its not necessary to keep up to each week, so can go at my own pace. The fact that you have posted to the blog means that you are still in there otherwise why bother doing it? Take your break and a note book chill out, enjoy and come back refreshed, I always think taking a little time out is a good thing. You may be suprised that you will see the way forward more clearly like getting your second wind, don’t give up but take it at the pace that feels comfortable, think of it as a marathon not a sprint. Anyway all the best, have a great break and come back refreshed.
Best wishes
Rob
admin@robert-corrigan.com
http://robert-corrigan.com
Hi Andy,
You’ve read my forum post about this; I so, so relate to what you are saying. However, this blog post is great, so maybe you are close to scaling or skirting around your wall.
I agree with Mandy – no laptop on vacation! But keep that notepad handy.
Relax and enjoy your holiday, stay away from negative thoughts about your “wall” and try to embrace positive thoughts about your way forward; allow the universe to respond.
Since I made that post on the forum, I am being bombarded on every side by helpful, inspirational material (not just from the MC members, but from all over the place including the physical world). That cannot be just coincidence.
All the best
Sue
Thanks Sue, I am sure every single Internet Marketer has ‘hit the wall’ at some stage and the one’s who are successful are the one’s who come out the ‘other side’ stronger for the experience!
Andy
Negative thoughts in a marathon have a physical origin, the blood in your brain starts to drain away! The body starts to send more blood to where it’s urgently needed – your legs. The result is you start to feel light headed and can’t concentrate – that’s why the support from crowds is so important during the last 10k of a marathon.
Glad to see you are back on the marketing track Andy, but are you still running? 1.31 for a half marathon is a great time. During a run in the countryside I find it’s impossible to have a negative thought, so I come back to Internet Marketing re-energised and enthusiastic. Keep up the good work.
John
Hi Andy, I have been there friend, I know exactly how you feel. I agree with Rob, go at your own pace. Take small steps to get into it again.
Think what life for you and your family will be like when you are successful, visualise it. How does this success feel, amazing yeah? well then go for it. I am here willing you on, as are these fine Masterclass colleagues.
Best of luck in your endeavours.
Ray.
Many thanks for your kind words Ray!