In coaching discussions with athletes I have a theory called “racing under the visor”. What it means is that, in the moment, all the pain and focus of executing a difficult effort exists under the brim of a hat or visor. Everything in that space is immense and overwhelming and all encompassing. RIght outside the edge, that intensity falls away and it seems like it never existed. When I watch people race, I can’t place myself in their shoes because I’m now outside of the visor. I hope this makes sense, because I just realized that it’s the same thing with regards to your world. 

Do you ever have those times where you feel like you just don’t know how you’re going to do it?  For me this happens first thing in the morning. It’s like while I was sleeping, all the things crashed down upon me like an avalanche of anxiety or wave after wave of overwhelming “things” I need to do. I duck under a wave, pop up to breathe and get smoked by the next one. 

Weirdly as I get out into the world, this lessens.  By lunch sometimes it’s completely gone. Sometimes it takes until dinner but usually by bed it’s like it was never there. Until 5 am. Then there it is again. 

Something about being out in the world gets me outside of my visor. A hello here, an interaction there. A meeting or conversation. Each little thing adds up to a better worldview. 

The visor really is just another way of saying it’s all in your head, that most everything that feels like too much can be flipped with simple human interaction and opening our mouth to speak. For me I enjoy saying hello to strangers or thanking a person who’s helping or serving me. Watch the person checking you at the grocery store light up when you give them a sincere “thanks I hope you have a great day.” You can almost watch them startle back to life. 

The costs to you for this sublet brightening are nothing. It simply takes an awareness and a small burst of positive energy focused outward. Just as you give. You also get, and two people step outside their visors for a moment. Catching a full blown case of positivity, which is a positive virus for all. 

I’ve even seen it running. The other day I was approaching another guy running, 15-20 years my junior, full on dread locks, a polar opposite of me. I put up my hand for a high five. He did the same. Move executed, he smiled, as did I and continued his run. 

Try it this morning. I have a crisp dollar bill that says you’ll get more than you give. 

#hugsandhi5s