As many of you know I am an aspiring triathlete. In fact, 2-5 hours of my day 5-6 days a week are dedicated to training. I also love to read autobiographies. I love to hear people’s accounts of what made them successful. So when arguably the most successful triathlete of all time writes her story. . . well, I’m going to devour it.

Her name is Chrissie Wellington and here’s the deal. . .she has never lost an Ironman Triathlon. For those that aren’t familiar, Triathlon is the sport. Ironman is the distance. (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) Once again, she’s never lost. So, she writes a book. I’m reading it. I made a ridiculous number of highlights, however, I wanted to share her thoughts on how our brain self imposes limits on us. She says. . .

“For a start, there’s the importance of keeping an open mind. The brain is programmed to protect us, and that can mean imposing limits on what it thinks we can or should do. Constantly push at those limits, because the brain can be way too cautious.”

She goes on to say. . .

“The brain is constantly trying to impose limits on what it thinks we can achieve. We should constantly question it, fight it.”

Of course, I apply this everyday. When I’m running and I have to do one more round of speed work and all I want to do is quit, I think about this. I pick out a telephone pole or a street sign and say, “just make it to there. Go hard to there!” And then, of course, I pick out a new target never giving in to my brain until the interval is done.

This doesn’t just apply to sport, however. What other areas of your life has your brain imposed limits on? What other lies is your brain telling you? What are you not good enough to do? Too weak? Too old? Too young? Maybe it’s telling you there’s too much competition or It’s already been done.

Bull. If it’s what you’ve got to do then do it. Pick out that next pole or traffic sign and just make it to there. Go a little farther. Like Chrissie said, “Constantly push those limits, because the brain is way too cautious.”

***Wellington, Chrissie (2012-05-15). A Life Without Limits: A World Champion’s Journey (Kindle Locations 2232-2234). Hachette Book Group. Kindle Edition.