Pace Your Way to Success

By Gordon Barth

As I’ve grown older I’ve learned to slowly pace my way to success. I first learned this technique when I undertook my first Grand Canyon hike. My destination was to reach the bottom of the canyon. If ran down, I wouldn’t last a mile. If I stopped every ten minutes to rest, it would be dark before I reached the bottom.

Though the hike was strenuous, I learned once I got moving, it was easier to proceed with a slow continuous plod than to start and stop. I would pace myself so I could plod along for an hour before resting and refueling. As I got more tired, my only concentration was simply picking up my foot and placing it in front of the other, that’s it. The process was simple but as long as I had the strength to pick up my foot and put it in front of the other, I was proceeding towards my destination.

With the realization that going back up the trail was a lot harder than continuing down the trail and collapsing on the trail would suffer disgrace, I found the inner strength to continue picking up my feet. Not knowing the trail or exactly when I would reach my destination, whenever I reached a turn in the trail I always used the phrase “the end is just around the corner”. This was mental desperation on my part where I needed to believe in something that would give me the strength to continue on so I wouldn’t die there on the trail. These mind games kept me going until….I finally saw the river and realized I reached my destination. I can’t really describe to you the feelings at that moment but it was one of the most joyous experiences in my entire life.

Later when soaking my feet in the cool waters of the Colorado River, I experienced an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I had pushed myself physically and mentally farther than I could ever imagine…and I persevered!

That day changed my life and I have applied the lessons of that day to all facets of my life.

Today I plod along to my successes. Each day I take small steps in the direction of my destination. I make sure not to do too much to burn myself out too early and I rest occasionally to refresh myself. I realize that going back is harder than going forward and giving up is not an option. Success is “right around the corner” if I keep proceeding. Once I reach my destination, the feeling is extremely gratifying.

These lessons have served me well over the years, but what really drove the lessons home was when…..in the Grand Canyon…I had to go back up. But that’s another story.

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Gordon Barth is the owner of Club 50 Fitness Center located at 3155 N. Windsong Dr. in Prescott valley. He can be reached at 928-759-2271 or email at gbarth@club50fitness.com