Running on Social

 

It was time to do something about it, it was time for me to peel myself off the sofa and put this old body to WORK.

Yep, I’ve started running. This was partly inspired by listening  to Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (the CEO of Nike) and partly cause I needed to do something about my mental and physical well being. 

Running ticks all those boxes for me.

I can work my body, lose weight and feel better AND by combining that with an audiobook or two I can learn at the same time. There is actual neuroscience behind being in an automatic state (like walking or running) and the bodies ability to learn.

Makes sense when you think about it. How many times have you driven the same route, only to go to a new destination but still subconsciously follow the same route. Your neural pathways have locked in the habit through repetition and bodily motor function.

I have a theory that learning whilst the body is in a state of motion (we are a sensory organism after all) allows the data to permeate more quickly and neural pathways to build more effectively , and faster. Speeding up the learning process and building habits more quickly.

John Bargh (1994), based on over a decade of research, suggested that four characteristics usually accompany automatic behaviour:

Awareness

A person may be unaware of the mental process that is occurring.

Intentionality

A person may not intentionally initiate a mental process.

Efficiency

Automatic mental processes tend to have a low cognitive load, requiring relatively low mental resources.

Controllability

A person may not have the ability to stop or alter a process after initiation.

Think of your journey on social. Much like starting a run for the first time ever, you’ll stretch (start to think about content).

Choosing the right gear (platform) having the right mindset and goals is important to effectively tackling this beast called social.

Then you’ll start to run (post). You might stumble at first. You won’t manage many miles before you’re out of breath. 

You hit the wall, it’s too hard. So you stop and rest.

But something in you won’t let you stop. So you get up the next day and attempt another run. This time it feels different.

Your muscles feel more responsive.

Your feet grip the asphalt with purpose, your body and mind are in perfect harmony. You start to notice other people on your (posts) run and wave and talk to them.

This starts to feel good. So you keep going.

Then you start to push 2 miles. 4. Then 6 miles.

Your posts get more and more traction. 

It feels easy and you wonder why on earth you didn't start this sooner.

You feel fitter, more alert. Your business is thriving because of the interaction and conversations you’re having on your content. 

Then one day you get an injury, you roll an ankle. And decide to rest. 2 days turns into 4.

You go a whole week without posting. Which becomes three.

You start to feel the effects. Shortness of breath, less reach on your posts.

So you test your ankles again. They feel good, strong.

So you step out of the door into the early morning sun and post.

And it’s like you never went away. You spot another runner, early in their journey. You nod and smile and think about the distance they have covered, how it seems like so muh effort for them.

But you never look back, just stare at the vast empty open road in front of you. Ready to tackle it and write your own story.
So lace up your shoes, stretch and take that first step into the day. 
And I guarantee that road will take you to places you can’t even imagine!

#SocialSelling #Mindset #LinkedIn