We all deal with obstacles that threaten the multisport lifestyle we lead. For some, it is work pushing the limits of sanity as you watch the hours just roll by to 10 or 11 P.M. For others, there are social obligations (work or personal) or relationship obligations (whether you are single or married). Sometimes it's hard to believe you can actually find time to train...but you can and you do. I think it's important to take some time to think about the decisions we make - and take for granted - on a daily basis. These decisions define who we are...and it's important to make sure that these decisions are consistent with your internal focus.

The Non-Negotiables
These are items you have already decided about. You might have made a conscious decision (no brownies for me!) or an unconscious one (the sight of blood makes me puke)...but either way, when faced with the situation, you already know the answer. Non-negotiables are things that take precedence over everything -- not just training, although that's the context I am operating within in this article.

Example 1: I have strict rules about family time...family always wins. So if I have a trainer workout on the books, but my wife needs me to make dinner b/c she's not feeling good...well, I fire up the grill and hope to get a short skill session in later.

Example 2: My friends are important to me, but I am aiming for Kona with the training right now. So...so I get lots of training in and have a few solid friends. But that was my decision, and I am fine with it.

The Negotiables
These are items that ultimately you can decide upon. In other words, when the obstacle appears, you are a presented with a choice. Sometimes this choice presents itself much earlier in the timeline than the obstacle itself - so you must think about setting a solid precedent before you even encounter your first obstacle.

Here's an example. Five PM rolls around and the boss stick's her head in your office to say, good job and oh here's something due by 9am tomorrow. We've all had this happen in one way or another, and it's important to remember that you have a choice. You can choose to do -- or not do -- this last minute project. There are repercussions with each choice you make (say Yes and be labelled "last minute guy/gal" and never go home on time again; OR say No and not have that job anymore).

Or a more relevant tri-life example. You are out riding with your buddy when a group rolls by. Your buddy sits up and says, "let's go!" And you say... YES means that you are taking your training and leaving it behind, but maybe you feel like it will make you cooler or more bad-ass. NO might mean you are a wuss, or it could mean you are anti-social. The outcome of that decision, however, is that you will stick with what you wanted/originally planned to do.

External vs. Internal
These obstacles are typically external forces, as in they are out of our control. Thinking of them as "external," however, makes it really easy to resent the impact of these forces on your training, life, etc. Instead of externalizing these obstacles and letting them control your training--and your life--I think it's important to position things so you are in control.

For example, grumbling about your boss at 7pm on a Thursday night is really easy to do. But it also solves very little. It won't get you out of the office any earlier, it won't make your boss happy if it gets back to him/her, and it's really just not productive.

So how do we take control? How can we navigate the Negotiables & Non-Negotiables? We set Priorities.

Priorities
Setting priorities means you rank items. One thing is more important than something else. For me, Family is more important than Training - 'nuff said. But actually sitting down and thinking this through is an important exercise. Once you already know what your priorities are, you can make a decision that you can walk away from and feel good about. So if you know that eating dinner every night with your family at 6 is a priority, it makes it easier to leave the office at 5. It makes it easier for you to tell people that your family is more important for work.

You do not have to wait for a crazy movie "stand off" moment when you decide between Work and Family. There is no drama associated with this decision when you sit down in a quiet space, with a pencil, a pad of paper and start writing it out. You can make the "hard" choices easy by already knowing what your decision is before you are asked.

I print mine out an put them on the wall over my desk. Anyone walking by knows immediately where my priorities are...there is no hidden agenda or weasely behavior.

So as you face your next obstacle, think long and hard about how it got there. Think about whether or not you have defined your Priorities around this issue. If not, sit down, write them down, post them up and get on with your life.

Happy Living,

Patrick