Often my best ideas occur while running.

Then it’s handy to have an iWatch - I lift my arm, push the big red button, and start recording. As members of the phylum Chordata, our primary identity is as a ‘mover’, so it’s no surprise that moving optimises your cognitive function. Once - after a particularly effective lesson - my precious teacher Marjorie Barstow looked at her student as she walked elegantly across the room and remarked:

“Now you look like you know something.”

We all laughed because she did, which was the surprise. 

Turns out, optimised coordination looks intelligent, and movement will do that. I had the idea for this blog while I was wondering if I should slow down my running to walk over the bridge, enjoy the sun, catch my breath and be more with the world than just with me.

Just with me. Hmm, is that the only way to run?

Or do anything in fact - and I realised there are three ways to practice anything:

FIRST WAY - Follow a Metric

The simple metric could be - Be with your Self, i.e. calibrate your activity in a way that harmonises with your current condition. It’s another way of saying, “Don’t push your Self.” It’s a preferred option for older people like me. To be a little more objective about it, choose a metric. For runners, one metric is to run as long as you can breathe through the nose or carry on a conversation with someone you’re with. You calibrate your activity against a smartly devised feedback mechanism.

SECOND WAY - Follow a Goal

Elon Musk might be one of the world's best examples of this kind of living - set outrageous goals and insist upon getting them done, doesn’t matter about the weather. The 4-minute mile seemed impossible until it was done - this can be true for all aspects of your life. When I was younger, I lived a lot this way. Demanding more than your identity conceives possible is a recipe for transformation. It’s tough, but you move your Self out of the envelope of a fixed identity into a world where the impossible becomes possible.

THIRD WAY - Follow a Coach

This combines the first and second ways, with the referee outside your personal self-assessment system. The critical factor here is finding the right coach, or team if you’re a high player. A good coach knows when to push you past your boundaries and when to reign you back and consolidate development. Take your time choosing a coach - because surrendering your will to theirs is part of the transaction. Deeper trust will accelerate your transformation.

How would you apply this to developing your ability to teach?

I’m not sure, so I’m off on my run now to find out!

What do you think?