The Fortitude Chronicle: A Weekly Digest of Athletic Determination

Monday’s Mindset

The REAL Reason You're Tired, Struggling, and Unhappy

We often think of debt in terms of dollars and cents, but there's a more insidious form of debt that's plaguing our society: the debt of energy, time, and well-being. This debt accumulates silently, often unnoticed, until we find ourselves overdrawn and struggling to function.

Consider the way we approach our daily lives. We push ourselves to the limit, sacrificing sleep to meet deadlines. We overcommit socially, draining our emotional reserves. We train our bodies to exhaustion, believing that more is always better. In each of these scenarios, we're not living within our means – we're borrowing against our future selves.

This energy debt manifests in various ways:

1. Relationship Debt:

Every time we say "yes" when we mean "no," we're taking out a small loan against our emotional well-being. We overextend ourselves, promising time and attention we don't have to spare. The interest on this debt comes due in the form of resentment, burnout, and strained connections.

2. Sleep Debt:

The modern badge of honor seems to be how little sleep we can function on. But sleep isn't a luxury – it's a biological necessity. Each hour of sleep we skip is borrowed time, and the body always collects its due, with interest. Chronic sleep deprivation doesn't just make us tired; it impairs cognitive function, weakens our immune system, and increases the risk of serious health issues.

3. Training Debt:

In athletics, there's a pervasive "no pain, no gain" mentality. But pushing our bodies beyond their limits without adequate recovery isn't progress – it's a form of physical debt. Overtraining syndrome, injuries, and burnout are the high-interest payments on this borrowed physical capacity.

4. Attention Debt:

In our hyper-connected world, we're constantly borrowing from our attention reserves. Every notification we check, every scroll through social media, is a micro-loan against our ability to focus deeply. Over time, this debt compounds, leaving us scattered, distracted, and unable to engage meaningfully with our work or relationships.

The problem with living in energy debt is that, unlike financial debt, we can't declare bankruptcy and start over. The toll on our physical and mental health accumulates over time, often manifesting in chronic conditions, strained relationships, and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction.

So how do we break this cycle and start living within our energetic means?

1. Recognize the debt:

The first step is awareness. Start noticing where you're overextending yourself. Are you constantly feeling drained after social interactions? Are you relying on caffeine to mask your exhaustion? These are signs you're living in energy debt.

2. Audit your energy expenditures:

Just as you'd review your financial statements, take stock of where your energy is going. What activities fill you up, and which ones leave you depleted? This isn't about productivity – it's about sustainability.

3. Learn to say "no":

Saying no isn't selfish; it's self-preservation. Every "no" to an energy-draining commitment is a "yes" to your well-being.

4. Invest in recovery:

Rest isn't a luxury; it's an essential investment in your future performance. Prioritize sleep, take regular breaks, and give yourself permission to truly recharge.

5. Practice energy management, not just time management:

Recognize that not all hours are created equal. An hour of work when you're well-rested and focused is worth far more than an hour of pushing through exhaustion.

6. Build energy reserves:

Just as you'd build an emergency fund for financial stability, create buffers in your life. This might mean keeping some weekends completely free, or setting aside time each day for activities that replenish you.

Living debt-free in terms of energy doesn't mean never pushing yourself or taking on challenges. It means being strategic about where you expend your resources and ensuring you have systems in place to replenish them.

Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. By living within your energetic means, you're not just avoiding burnout – you're setting yourself up to thrive. You're creating the capacity to be fully present in your relationships, to bring your best self to your sport, and to engage with life from a place of abundance rather than scarcity.

In a world that often glorifies the hustle and the grind, choosing to live within your energetic means might seem counterintuitive. But it's this very choice that will allow you to sustain your efforts, achieve your goals, and truly enjoy the journey along the way.

So the next time you're tempted to borrow from your future self – whether it's skipping sleep, overcommitting, or pushing past your limits – pause and ask yourself: Is this a debt I can afford to repay? Your future self will thank you for the investment in sustainable living.

Two Quotes

1. "It may not work out how you think it will or how you hope it does. But believe me, it will all work out." - Ted Lasso

2. "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear." - Mark Twain

Three Tweets

To Building Fortitude.

 Best Regards,

Colin Jonov, Founder & CEO Athletic Fortitude