It’s like signing up for a race, not really preparing or training for it, and setting out and finishing with an unbelievable time. If you don’t beat that time the next race, do you feel as accomplished? Or, it’s like setting a personal record in collections in one week’s time. The following week, if not matched or beaten, do you feel like a failure?
For me, I have a tendency to set a goal, and once reached, anything less feels unfulfilling. According to Entrepreneur and Online Marketing Expert, Neil Patel, in Entrepreneur, “When we don’t get fulfillment, our psychological response is anxiety or tension.” Based on my history, it is probable that after last week’s accomplishments, I will quickly be confronted with feelings of defeat and disappointment.
Though, I have made tremendous progress in coping with my emotions over the years, I still struggle with these consequential responses. I think to myself, “If I reached 108,000 people last week in one video clip online, then what do I need to do today to make sure I reach 110,000 people.” Though, this may be appear to be a healthy, positive mentality, it has the potential to have negative repercussions for me.
If not balanced or controlled, I am susceptible to becoming out of control in an obsessive manner. More than just being diagnosed at the time with an eating disorder, I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. At that time, my uncontrollable and reoccurring thoughts and behaviors were focused on food. The truth is, I have the susceptibility to develop this in others facets of life. Therefore, this is a critical time for me to self-reflect and make sure I stay leveled and balanced.
I felt amazing feelings of accomplishment this past week after only officially launching Kick the Scale one month ago. To say the least, it was a huge week for me and my latest venture in raising awareness about eating disorders, sharing my story, and inspiring others. To have had a week consisting of that much media and press, and getting the opportunity to stand on stage and relay my message to 800 people, was beyond exciting and exhilarating. The total magnitude of people I was able to stretch to, as a result, was incredible. A random woman even came up to me at my gym, and said, “Oh my. Was that you I saw on the news?”
I am aware I possess personality characteristics that compel me to want to go, run, and sprint to do more, to reach a higher level, and to outdo last week.. And to do all of it NOW. But, I am aware that it isn’t realistic. I am forced to come down from a huge adrenaline rush, and while I am enjoying the ride, I must continue to remind myself of advice that I had received throughout my entire sports career: “It is a marathon, not a sprint.”
It is the big picture. I have to be prepared that I may not have anything publicized, aside from my blogs, these next couple months. And, and I have remind myself, that it is ok; that it’s a process. My mission is to help a greater cause, to raise awareness in eating disorders and help people – and, as much as the media significantly assists in spreading the message, it’s more than just being on the news or standing up on a stage. Those are special events that may be few and far between.
I am grateful to the several friends and family who “share” each significant moment with their friends and family on social media; and people who I have never met who deemed the topic important enough to circulate among their networks. You know who you are – and I thank you for your outward love and support. Each person who shares it may be contributing to saving someone’s life…
I want the entire world to hear my voice, my powerful message, and to use my story to help educate, prevent people from developing one, or to save lives of those currently battling eating disorders. I will take a deep breath today, and enjoy the week I was blessed to have had and experienced, strive for more, but not place that pressure on myself to do it all now. Business Insiderpublished an article, This Is How Long “Overnight Success” Really Takes. It reflects on the length of time it took for the most successful people and companies to reach that ultimate status. It states, “If you’re starting something new, expect a long and challenging journey. But that’s no excuse to move slowly.” I will continue to pace myself, but will, also, continue working tirelessly to spread my message to as many people as I possibly can.
In case you missed it…
A local news promo was published on Facebook leading up to the main story. It received more than 108,000 views: https://www.facebook.
I was one of seven storytellers at The Senator Theater for the 10th Anniversary Stoop Storytelling Series. The show sold out, and was standing room only: 800 people. I was in the company of Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Public Health Commissioner and Bill Doyle, a writer for The Simpsons. Each storyteller is allotted seven minutes to tell a story. On the stage, no script, and no podium: Spotlight and Microphone only. It is now on podcast: http://www.
A “More to come…” Article was published and released by WMAR-TV, again leading up to the ultimate story.
WMAR-TV – ABC2News aired a segment on Eating Disorders, my story, and what Kick the Scale entails now. It was a 3:28 story; which in news time equates to an exceptional amount of air time. The Co-Director of The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt was, also, interviewed: http://www.