Starting with the end in mind

As Gerald Ford was remembered by many different people in many different ways in the last several days, it seems that one aspect stood forward in most memories—his pardoning of former President Nixon after Watergate.

As I was working out this morning, I thought about that action, and the way that it appears to have given an entire nation permission, and a means, to move on. At the time, there were many detractors and, naturally, there are still some now. But there are significantly fewer now. The perspective that time offers, places this presidential pardon in a broader context.

When I work with coaching clients who are seeking to clarify what exactly it is that they want to do with the next phase of their lives, or the new direction they are seeking to move their business, I often ask them to look from the other end of the telescope, so to speak.

"Beginning with the end in mind" is one of Stephen Covey's foundational 7 Habits of Highly Successful People—and it works for me on a number of different levels. As a runner, you can pause at the beginning of each run, and visualize your experience as you return home at the end of it. This will support you in setting a clear intention as to how you wish not only to DO your run, but also how you wish to BE during it, and at the end of it.

Before you set out on your next run, do exactly this. Imagine yourself, experiencing the wonderful blend of tiredness and exhilaration that comes from covering the miles, honoring your commitment to yourself and your running, and of dipping deeper in to the magical part of you that rises to the surface as you run. By starting with a clear picture in your mind—and heart—you can consciously create the peak running experience available to you.

And as you do run, allow yourself to run with this question, "How do I wish to be remembered?" it may not initially sound uplifting, but try this . . . As you run, picture yourself at your own funeral, however that looks for you—you get to design it all as you run. And then, once the setting is complete, listen inside for the eulogy that you would like to hear. How would you like to be thought of? What do you wish your legacy to be? What are the qualities that you would like to be remembered for?

I am going to guess that as you deepen in this exploration, your heart will speak loud and clear. As strong as it beats in you as you run, it will also speak to you, guiding you, lifting you, and giving you direction for the most fulfilling way to live your life.