Pinkcast 2.27: This is how to deal with midpoints
LINKS AND FURTHER READING:
- For more about the underlying research on midpoints, see Chapter 4 of WHEN: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.
- This graphic explains the “Uh-Oh Effect,” one of the ways midpoints create a spark rather than a slump.
Love the ending! A little Boss goes a long way. Thanks for your work!
Dan,
Well done, and clever! And exactly right. In my experience, reaching the midpoint confirms that it’s no longer impossible and that finishing is possible…even inevitable. Thanks for the reminder!
Brendan
Agree with this Dan. Mid points are a great time not to look how far you have come it also offers a chance to recalibrate if you want to make changes. For example in your half marathon at half point you can decide if you want to go faster or maintain the same pace. Mid points are ideal to make some good changes.
Dan, you are a legend! Recording a Pinkcast half way through a half marathon leaves me breathless. Keep up the great work.
When I’m in a particularly difficult project, I break it up into smaller increments (1/8) so I can take credit for the effort and push to improve on the next part. It’s really great for monotonous work (like a long run) and when you start hitting the mini-milestones you take credit and push (I can go a little faster I made 1/8 and that wasn’t that bad).
Dan – about at the “midpoint” of your podcast I evaluated things and realized that with all the bridge traffic and runners behind you I hadn’t started listening yet. Feeling behind, yet giddy with enthusiasm toward a strong second half of this educational experience, I decided it best to start over and listen without actually watching the video so I could focus! 🙂 I am enthralled with observing humanity and found you were just not the center of my attention anymore… LOL. Thx for your pithy bi-weekly newsletter. Out of the multitude of e-newsletters I give permission to enter my inbox, yours is the only one I make certain to carve out time to read almost without fail. Keep up the good work!
Dan, a great point about midpoints. It’s easy to focus on (or dread) the starting, only to wait and wait for the ending. Reaching halfway can be motivating in a lot of ways and proves we have what it takes to get that far, how bad can the rest of the way be?
I just finished the National Novel Writing Month challenge (write a 50,000 word novel in November). I made a Herculean effort to get to 25,000 words and the midpoint of the story by November 15. Having done, I felt I had proved to myself that I could reach the end by Nov 30 and that I owed it to myself to do so.
Hope the rest of your race seemed all down hill!
Another great reminder and bit of wisdom. Similar to the SmallBig by Martin, Goldstein, and Cialdini. When starting a project, celebrate the amount done. When finishing, celebrate the little you have left. Your fan, Mike
Your encouraging, in-depth analysis of day-to-day problems & solution keeps me going. Thank you !!!
“I’m half-done!” – love it. It works especially for those that see the glass ‘half-full’. Optimism is a fuel, especially when running a half-marathon ??♂️
Way back in what passes for my heyday, I used to run competitively. During races I used to say to myself, “The second half is mine!” I looked out for the midway point and made myself the pledge to ensure that no one passed me after half way. Great psychology. Thanks for reminding me of that philosophy.
Yes – applying what you wrote in When. Are you one of the “niners” as well?