Talking to yourself

I run for fun. I haven't in a while so when the universe and I got together we found a nice 16km run brought to me by a friend. It was out in the vineyards in Noordhoek and up onto Chapmans Peak and on Noordhoek beach. Lovely scenic run...wait it wasn't so much a run as it was hiking at pace.

I explained to my wife that there are tough parts that you have to talk yourself through, be your own coach. She asked me what I said and it was the first time I had shared with anyone what I say to myself when I have to push myself through a tough part of a run.I realised that some of these pep talks can be used when I have to push myself through anything.

Here are a few:

- Is that all you've got to throw at me? Come on, I know you are tougher than that (usually used when running against wind) -I also tend to open up my arms and visualise myself gliding.

- Let's open this baby up and see what he's really capable of (yes, I really say that)

- I am an eagle flying above all of this

- I am a flow of energy; I am a point of light

- I also try to smile through the toughest part - what I think of as my "Mona Lisa's Smile", a secret only I know.

We all need reminding and pushing because often the loudest voice is what Srikumar Rao calls the VOJ or the Voice Of Judgment. We need words of encouragement and not words of damnation. Which do you use more often with yourself, your kids, your partner or your staff?

Talk yourself and others up and we will push through. Take the age old saying...if you don't have anything good to say....say nothing.

Try it - open your baby up and see what you really can do!