What I learned doing 100,000 steps in one day

Mental Health Awareness Month

As you may know, May is the month for mental health awareness.?It aims to increase public awareness about the importance of mental health and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. During this month, various organizations, mental health professionals, and individuals engage in activities that promote mental health, such as hosting seminars, workshops, fundraisers, and social media campaigns. The goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to encourage people to prioritize their mental health, seek help if needed, and advocate for policies and programs that support mental health care access and quality.

In light of Mental Health Awareness Month, last weekend, I hosted an event called the 100,000, which aimed to increase mental health awareness. This event was also a fundraiser for the?? Mental Health Association of East Tennessee (MHAET) to support their?Mental Health 101?(MH101) program. The MH101 program supports children in grades 4th through 12th grade.?The program aims to reduce stigma and increase awareness of mental health issues by teaching children and teens how to recognize signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders, understand the impact of mental health on daily life, and access resources and support for themselves or loved ones. Mental Health 101 is typically offered in various formats, including online courses, in-person workshops, and community presentations, and is available to individuals, organizations, and schools. The program is led by mental health professionals and advocates who are passionate about improving mental health outcomes for everyone.

For someone who struggled with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) as a child and into early adulthood, this program hit home for me, which is why I chose this non-profit for the event.?

Lessons Learned

The 100,000 was by no means an easy feat. It required?each?participant to walk 100,000 steps?on their own.?I had a lot of inquiries if this could be tallied up as a team, but there was a standard. The event was meant to be hard. It was meant to test each individual and reach a point in their mind where they've never been before. Because of the rigorous standard, many people were turned away from the event, but most were willing to donate, which was great.

For me and my team in Chattanooga, TN, the event lasted 16 hours. We started at midnight Saturday morning and finished at 5:00 PM Saturday evening. Throughout our long trek, when things got tough, we would reflect on the fact that this moment was temporary, and the kids we were supporting had a?daily?struggle and would have to fight another battle tomorrow. Outside of this reflection, I unexpectedly learned a few key lessons.?

Your attitude means everything

At approximately the 12-13 hour mark (approx. 55,000 steps in), there was a lot of negative self-talk, not just between me but amongst the team. We would start to rate our pain on a scale of 1-10. At this point, some folks said they were at a 6 or 7. Although I related to them, I knew we were only halfway there, and we needed to change our attitude, or else we wouldn't make it. When someone asked my pain level--although I was right there with them--I shouted, "I'm a solid three!" and explained that "it isn't that bad" and "it's all in our head." I felt like I was telling a lie...until something shocking happened right after.?

After my post-pep talk, my team said, "Wow, I actually feel so much better!" and "We need to stop this negative talk," and we hit a second wind. What does this mean for you? When you're working with your team as a leader or as a team member, you need to check your attitude. A negative attitude is more contagious than the common cold. The good news is that its cure is easier than overcoming the common cold. You don't necessarily need to believe what you're saying, but it helps. It shows everyone else that the negativity isn't helping, so you might as well be positive about it. So, think about your mindset next time you go through a challenging change, a tight deadline, or juggling multiple projects. Is the negative talk/thoughts helping, or is it hurting you and your team??

Ride the momentum wave?

This one was tough. When we took a break, it was much harder to get going again. Our bodies would cool down, and the adrenaline would start to wear off, we would get very tight and sore within minutes. Our strategy to combat this was not to stop for too long. We realized that we had to keep the momentum going.?

Now, I realize taking a break is necessary, and not everyone wants to or can juggernaut their way through things. However, when the wave is there--ride it. Keep the momentum going because when you fall off that wave, it's still going, and you're no longer on it. You now have to carry your weight, and after a long day, that can be difficult. So next time you're feeling motivated, take it all the way. Put away the distractions, turn off the noise, and ride that wave. See what you can get done; I'm sure you will be surprised.?

Train

Being an L&D professional, how could I not mention training!? Training for something like this was vital. To be honest, I didn't train correctly for this, and I'll take the hit for that (and my body still hasn't forgiven me yet). Towards the end of this challenge, I was doing what we used to call in the military the 'Airborne Shuffle,' which is basically tiny steps due to exhaustion. If you've ever seen or done a marathon, you've likely witnessed some people do the same thing. This is typically due to undertraining for such a challenging physical feat. You may get to your destination, but there is a better way of getting there.?

If you have a goal of moving into a different position, getting a big sale, getting your degree, or obtaining a certification, you will need to train. You won't move into a position without?training?for that role. You won't make that sale without?practice.?You won't pass your final or certification exam without?studying.?This is why we need to train. Whatever your goal is, you need to have a training plan. Our Talent Development Team and the entire Employee Experience Team consistently reiterates the importance of having a training plan. When you have a plan, you are far more likely to succeed and probably a lot more quickly.?

?

The 100,000 was tough, but everyone who participated is glad they did it, even if our bodies say otherwise today. We all learned something from this event and raised money for a good cause. I hope these lessons benefitted you and let our pain be your gain!

To learn more about the 100,000, click?HERE?and check it out on the local Channel9 News network.?

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthawarenessmonth