We can get ourselves worked up prior to any big event. It can be a performance, sporting event, presentation, product launch, etc. This causes stress and anxiety unless we’re staying busy and mindful tending to the details. We plan for the event itself, but we don’t plan for afterwards. This is what I call “The Landing Pad”.
1. Do you have a competition, performance or big event coming up?
2. Are you trying to have faith in the process, your training, and preparation to be successful?
3. Have you thought about how you might feel afterwards, as well as, the rest of the day and week?
The third question is usually where we haven’t walked through mentally because we are so consumed with our goals and preparation. This is common, although can be helped.
Take a look at these 5 scenarios and think about their plans.
What if this were your plan?
Could their plan work for you if you were in their position?
What might you differently?
#1 I had a client we will name Dave.
Dave was signed up for a sprint triathlon and had never completed one before. He had completed a 5K run and marathon and believed that he would feel fine after his first sprint triathlon to help his father-in-law lay mulch all afternoon.
What do you think about his decision to make this commitment?
#2 I had a client we will name John.
John was preparing for a presentation to his department on a well-known topic to him that he feels passionately about. John plans to attend the company luncheon afterwards. Then, he will work the afternoon and head home for dinner and quality time with his family.
What’s your opinion about John’s plan?
#3 I had a client named Samantha.
Samantha was preparing to move out of state with her family (husband and 2 children) and invited friends of her husband (married couple and their child) to come for a surprise visit and help them move into their new home.
What are your thoughts around this scenario?
#4 I had a client named Oliver.
Oliver was planning to retire at the end of the summer. Since he was so burnt out from his job, he planned to sleep in, go to the gym, and help with wife (also retired) with house projects that she wants to do.
How do you think this will go for Oliver?
#5 I had a client we will name Sally. Sally had run marathons in her 20’s and 30’s and this would be her first marathon in her late 50’s. She plans to attend the after party with friends and family who are coming in from out of town and plans to socialize for the rest of the day. She has a stretch and light massage booked for the following day and took off from work.
What are your thoughts about Sally’s plan for after the marathon?
Part of the difficulty with some of these decisions is that we may not know how we are going to feel afterwards. We don’t want to stress about the aftermath, which can cause unneeded stress and anxiety that can impair the event itself.
Use “Anxiety as Fuel” to walk through various scenarios as if they were your current reality and really sit in the different situations to imagine how you might feel, create well thought out plans, and to prepare for ‘what if’ situations. Download your free guide on how to turn your anxiety into fuel.
*** In the spirit of post-Olympics and the upcoming Chicago Marathon, I find it important to mention some mental health specifics for endurace athletes' "landing pad". It is not unusual for endurance athletes to experience a depressive episode (which can also look and feel like irritability) after a bigger event, due to the stress and strain on the body and then the shock of reduced exercise. It can be perpetuated by not having a continuation plan for afterwards.
Planning Ahead – Your “Landing Pad”
1. Keep moving and stretching – Meet a friend to move if needed
2. Stay hydrated
3. Feed your body
4. Decrease stress by taking off the next morning or day to sleep in.
5. Eat out or have leftovers to not have to cook
6. Decrease stress by not overscheduling yourself
7. Schedule a massage, chiropractor, or visit the gym hot tub or sauna to stretch
8. Expose yourself to nature (forest, pond, lake, fresh air).
9. PLAN a rough outline of what your day and week will look like-Revise and change when needed.
10. Plan continuing workouts ahead of time.
Contact me for help with your "landing pad" or life transitions.
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