Challenges
Simply put a challenge is a process where you install yourself in a uncomfortable situation to complete a challenging task for self-fulfilment or so it’s meant to be!
Sepsis is no challenge nor is it a pleasurable experience yet as I like to refer to it as a
“UNWANTED GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING”
However, we accrue daily challenges of various kinds, some that we anticipate and others that catch us completely off guard. Nevertheless, all challenges need to be dealt with and completed as best as we can. Whether we are prepared or unprepared truly makes no significant difference in the occurrence of these challenges, but the outcome—whether we are ready or not—has a remarkably dramatic effect on the final result we achieve.
When I prepare for a significant challenge that I have set for myself, I train hard, work diligently, eat the right foods, and discipline myself rigorously for the challenge I have chosen to complete. When I finally achieve that goal, it is the immense satisfaction of seeing my meticulous plan and thoughtful process all falling perfectly into place that truly prepares me for even bigger and more difficult challenges ahead. I take comfort in knowing that my planning and processes are effective; I simply need to double up on them and make adjustments to accommodate the new set of challenges that lie before me.
However, having a challenge thrown at you that you simply cannot prepare for is vastly different than facing a known battle. The end result can be truly outrageous. If you knew the exact date and time of the impending onslaught of Sepsis, crikey, you would be vastly ahead of the game, and the outcome for most people would likely be much more favorable than what it often turns out to be. Instead, you must battle through the relentless attack and fight with every ounce of strength you possess, always hoping to emerge from the struggle on the other side, firstly alive and, secondly, with as little damage as possible. However, much like any war, this ordeal leaves its mark in various forms, impacting you physically, mentally, and emotionally, and sepsis is not dissimilar in that regard. The significant challenge arises after the initial battle, during the crucial recovery period. For this phase, we can indeed prepare ourselves and follow a well-structured plan and process, adopting good healthy habits to facilitate healing and regain our strength.
But you can sort of prepare for the overwhelming onslaught of sepsis, and the chance of it genuinely helping you survive this daunting battle is pretty good in this day and age, especially with the advanced medicine available and the quality of your healthcare. Personally, I used all of my fitness bank account to save my life, even while going into this significant battle with asthma. Now, don’t misunderstand me; just because you are fit does not mean all will be hunky-dory when fighting this fierce battle. However, it surely does give you a tremendous head start to effectively fight back. This is where the challenge comes in— in order to achieve success, you need to be able to place yourself in situations where, to gain the next step, it will need to become harder and more challenging, especially after experiencing sepsis. Because, let’s be honest, if you do not actively challenge yourself to succeed, you will still recover without a doubt. However, it might take twice or even thrice as long, and who really wants that? You naturally want to be at your very best as soon as possible. Therefore, the challenges you set for yourself need to progressively become harder and more challenging. Whether that involves walking a specific distance every day, then stepping up to a walk-jog, followed by a full jog, and eventually training for a 10km, 20km, and so on, the challenges you create are entirely up to you as long as they are progressive. This careful planning and effort will undoubtedly make a significant difference in your recovery.
But this journey does not come without its fair share of discomfort. Remember, in order to truly progress, we must confront and deal with the discomfort that arises from enduring the challenges and managing the workload. If it were easy, then everyone would be doing it, right? The challenges of post-sepsis recovery and the ongoing battles that come with it are vast and numerous, yet the sense of fulfillment that accompanies the successful navigation of these ongoing challenges is truly energizing. This experience is distinctly different, but the challenges faced are not so dissimilar from those encountered by others on the path to recovery from sepsis. Ultimately, it is the end result that matters most, along with the invigorating feeling of accomplishment that makes all the difference. This powerful sensation is what fuels our motivation to embrace new and more demanding challenges as we continue on our path of recovery.
PLAN - PROCESS - HABITS
Keep going don’t stop
