In her March 6 “It’s Race Day” video, Bobbie LaPorte explains how the “15 Minute Principle” she learned from endurance training can also help motivate leaders and teams to take action even when you feel uncertain about what to do.
Transcript: It’s Race Day: How “The 15 Minute Principle” Motivates Action
Hi everyone, Bobbie LaPorte here again with my weekly leadership tips for 2023 called “It’s Race Day,” where I help you close the gap between thinking and doing. There’s a time to train and a time to race.
One of the things I appreciate about living in the Bay Area is that we can get outdoors pretty much 365 days a year, which is great for walking my dogs in Golden Gate Park, training for my next Ironman race or taking my early morning walks to the beach.
Except… over the last couple of months we have seen record levels of rain, thunder, lightning, even hail. This is traditionally our rainy season – but c’mon.
So, when I am contemplating an outdoors workout, I now often find myself sitting and thinking: what if it starts raining when I am out there; what if I can’t finish my workout; do I have the right gear for whatever weather might hit?
These are legitimate questions…. but let’s face it, they really are just stalling tactics. Inertia sets in, my brain reminds me of prior negative experiences in inclement weather and I just can’t seem to find the will to get moving.
Instead of stalling, waiting, ruminating on what could/might/surely will happen, I just need to go.
The 15 Minute Principle
In endurance training we have something called “The 15 Minute Principle” meaning… if you start on any project or effort, once you get 15 minutes into it you are much more likely to finish, to see it through.
Your body settles in, your mind gets past the point of telling you to quit, the synchronicity of body and mind work to keep you moving, to support your intention. We know that momentum begets momentum; that once you reach that 15-minute mark, forces are set in motion to keep you in motion. Really.
So, the next time you start to default to a mode of waiting, stalling, questioning why should invest the time to start on something that might not turn out exactly as you planned… just give it 15 minutes.
Now I need to lace up my running shoes, set my watch for today’s run workout and head out towards Golden Gate Park. And hope the weather gods give me a break.
I hope your week is one of doing, of taking action. Remember: there is a time to train and a time to race. It’s Race Day.