I made a big breakthrough solving a tricky data problem, and suddenly a barrier I had been stuck on for weeks was gone. It was one of those days where I was completely in the zone, and had lost track of the time as a result.
I was due to go on a run that day, just my usual, modest distance. But as I started, I noticed I was feeling especially great. And when the point came to turn around, I just blew past it. I ended running nearly twice the distance I usually do.
What’s interesting here is the sequence of events. Usually exercise is pitched as a way to improve focus and clarity for your work. But I discovered that the opposite is true too. A great day at work can lead the way to achievements outside of work. You can chain your breakthroughs together.
Running is as much of a mental exercise as a physical one. At a certain point of fitness, the issue is less whether you can physically run the distance, but if you are mentally able to stick with it. And this is the same mental endurance that comes into play when you’re presented with any problem in life that requires effort to work through.
And since we’re talking about endurance, it’s important to recognize that there’s a recovery period before you’re at full capacity. So don’t expect every day will be a monumental breakthrough. Give yourself time between those efforts.