Mindset: The Anchor That Keeps Us Moving Forward
There’s a moment in every challenge when your body says, “I’m not sure I can,” and your mind whispers back, “Yes, you can.”
That moment came for me this past weekend as I took on the Rocky Run Half Marathon — the Italian Stallion Challenge, 13.1 miles of grit, endurance, and willpower. The course was tough, the hills relentless, and my muscles had plenty to say about it.
But more than anything, it was my mindset that determined how I finished.
The Moment of Doubt
Somewhere around mile 7, the energy from the crowd faded, my legs ached, and I caught myself thinking, “Maybe I won’t make it.”
That thought lingered for a split second — but it was enough to feel the weight of it. I realized I had shifted from the strong, confident mindset I carried while training to one of hesitation.
I took a breath, looked up, and said to myself:
“You’ve done this before. You are prepared. You are strong. You’ve got this.”
With that small but powerful mental reset, my body followed my mind. I straightened my posture, focused on my breathing, and pushed forward.
Mindset Is the Anchor
At its heart, mindset is the anchor that holds us steady when life feels uncertain. It’s the lens through which we see challenges, setbacks, and successes.
When our mindset is rooted in strength and self-confidence, we approach obstacles as opportunities for growth. When it drifts toward doubt, even small hurdles can feel insurmountable.
The run reminded me that our thoughts drive our actions — and that shifting our mindset can literally change our pace, our posture, and our potential.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research defines two main types of mindset:
Fixed Mindset: Believing our abilities are static. “I can’t do this.” “I’m just not good at it.”
Growth Mindset: Believing our abilities can develop through effort and experience. “I can learn this.” “I can get stronger.”
The difference between finishing a race — or giving up at mile 9 — lies in which mindset we choose to fuel.
Training for the Mind
Mindset is like a muscle: it strengthens with practice.
Here are a few ways to train it daily:
Catch your thoughts early. Notice when your inner dialogue turns doubtful or harsh. Awareness is the first step toward change.
Reframe the moment. Replace “I can’t” with “I can, with time or effort.”
Visualize success. See yourself finishing the run, completing the project, or delivering the presentation before it happens.
Surround yourself with belief. Community shapes mindset. Train with people who push you to rise higher.
Celebrate progress. Growth is built in small, consistent wins.
A Lesson from Bo 🐾
When Bo faces a steep set of stairs (like he did at the Philadelphia Art Museum when his family took him there to see the Rocky statue) he doesn’t hesitate — he studies them, squares his shoulders (or rather, his paws), and climbs one at a time.
He doesn’t question his strength; he just believes in the process.
That’s mindset in motion — quiet confidence, steady effort, no drama.
Final Thought
The Rocky Run was a physical challenge, yes — but more importantly, it was a mindset marathon.
Every step reminded me that our thoughts determine our direction.
When we anchor ourselves in belief, we move forward — in running, in leadership, in life.
You don’t need a finish line to prove your strength. You just need to remind yourself:
“I’ve got this.”
Reflection Prompt
Think about a time you almost gave up — but didn’t.
What mindset shift helped you finish strong?
