Task Of Toughness

STEPPING UP TO THE TASK  

When there's an arduous task ahead and a real need for us to step up our game to tackle it head-on, the fear of the task often becomes more of an obstacle to taking action than performing the actual task itself. 

We tend to dwell on the idea of the task itself, the potential discomfort and the time frame we will likely have to endure this feeling, rather than focus on the mechanics and tools we’ll require to accomplish our goal.

In the past, when my training for a long-distance run or cycle ride has been lacking, I’ve learned the hard way how to accomplish a tough task. I've had to endure discomfort. Fortunately, it taught me that no matter how tough the perceived task seemed before or felt during, the end result was always the same – I achieved the goal. 

And despite the perceived toughness of the situation being confirmed throughout the ongoing hardship – fully realised throughout the entire experience – the ending always, very strangely, results with an almost instant feeling of elation. What’s more, within a considerably short time frame, the memories of the discomfort fade out, to be replaced by the more pleasant memories of the task. What this means is that we essentially focus on the rewards when creating memories and blank out the trauma experienced.

Learning The Hard Way
In 2012, I took on a very tough physical challenge called the Raid Alpine. For me, coupled with my lack of training and lack of fitness generally, plus having recently come through a bout of shingles, the 6-day Alpine Raid, became an arduous task of epic proportions. Blistering 40° heat, gruelling hour-long climbs and 8-10 hour days in the saddle, meant that I was suffering for a lot of the time on this challenge. 

The first day highlighted my lack of tools for the job, like a slap of reality. Very early on, I realised that I had poor stamina, finding even the lower-grade hills taxing. I was last by a long shot, arriving at the hotel that night. I really was not looking forward to day two. The second day was, of course, more of the same, except there were no surprises this time, as I knew what was in store for the following ride. The prospect of going through it again, filled me with dread but the ride on that second day wasn't as bad as I'd actually thought it would be. However, the thought of doing double the distance and time again for the next four days, made me feel anxious. Although supremely knackered, I struggled to sleep that second night. Fortunately, day three went a lot quicker – I managed to adapt by zoning out of the thoughts that were flashing through my mind. The berating inner voice, chiding me for taking on the task without the proper training and with such low fitness, was subdued.

I distinctly recall reaching the half halfway mark at the end of day three and it being a turning point psychologically. Day four was our toughest day of the tour, with Col La Bonnette (Europe's highest mountain pass), featuring mid-way through the day. There were many cyclists attempting this one climb as a charity event and I recall being cheered on by the supporters near the top and thinking, this is merely the third of seven cols we had to complete that day! This was the fourth day doing this and I took comfort in reminding myself that we were approaching the 2/3 marker. 

Each day on the tour became a mix of dread and understanding, to the point where, around midway through the trip, I'd already accepted my fate, acknowledged what needed to be done to reach the end and knew I had what it took to get there. By the fifth day, I’d managed to stay up with the pack and was even looking forward to the last day’s ride. In a short time, I'd become used to the discomfort and overcome a lot of the mental torment. I knew that I'd be uncomfortable for a period of time and the end would come.

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse
will happen to you the rest of the day.” – Mark Twain

I learned a lot about myself on that trip – likely, due to my poor fitness, a lot more than my super-fit bike mates did about determination. I now use this trip as a marker for what can be accomplished and for overcoming the mental barriers that crop up. Nothing has come anywhere close since. Each minute, hour or day was a measure against the one before and the accumulation of days meant I had six days of discomfort to measure against one. I therefore became used to the discomfort and it stopped being a problem any more. 

It's natural for us to veer towards comfort and being happy. Getting used to something that would be uncomfortable at first, will make it acceptable. By no means am I anywhere close to a place, where some extreme adventurers and athletes have taken themselves. Nor am I overcoming obstacles like some people with disabilities do on a daily basis, but relatively, I believe my realisation of the task to be endured and the sustained period experienced it in, have given me a tougher resolve. I feel greatly rewarded by what this relatively short duration of discomfort has provided me, a mental toughness for taking on challenges that others would not even try.

Start Tough – Stay Tough

Getting used to doing something arduous and uncomfortable, when there are easier ways of not doing it, this we call toughing it out. 

Anything worth trying for, worth putting the effort in, is worth doing, in anyone's book. And if it's something that many will want to have, but limited supplies/spaces are available, it'll be tougher to obtain with so much competition at stake. Therefore, we need to toughen ourselves up, purely to deal with getting what we want and dealing with the things that everyday life throws at us.

To keep ourselves from succumbing to an easier and more comfortable default, there's something that we should gift ourselves every single day, preferably at the very start of it – a shock of discomfort. Doing something like a tough physical challenge and learning how to overcome the mind's chatter while enduring the challenge, will help us to stay calm, react better in stressful situations using a rational mind, encourage mindfulness, and deeper thinking and help us express compassion towards others.