#makeitcount

Source: wearehq.com via Christine on Pinterest

Have you seen Nike's #makeitcount campaign? It asks, "How will you make it count in 2012?" and it's all about bringing your best to everything you do. Apparently, the marketing geniuses at Nike have succeeded again because I can't seem to get that phrase out of my mind. I find myself muttering "make it count, make it count" under my breath more than a few times a day. And I'm not even an active Nike customer!

At first, I thought that this was just another clever ad campaign, but then it made me think. What was I going to make count this year? I wasn't training for anything in particular and didn't have any specific goals that I was working towards (or at least that I have fully articulated to myself). My goals were more like snippets that started with "It would be nice to..." That was when I realized what had been missing in my life - motivation, that fire under my ass that makes me want to strive for something and push myself.

Lately, I've been in a rut. I've been hiding under the covers of a daily routine, identity and a set of expectations that I have grown way too comfortable with but, at the same time, has grown somewhat out of step with me as an individual. It has been easier to maintain things as they are and to take care of everyone else rather than think about what I wanted or needed to be happy. Isn't that what mothers do? I was just doing what I needed to in order to get by, whether working with my clients or making dinner or exercising.

I've decided it's time that I take care of myself and nourish my own soul. It's something that I have started working on over the past several months but I've finally found the perfect mantra to remind me what's important - make it count.

make it count because I want to be true to myself and my intentions in everything I do.
make it count because every minute that I have to spend with my kids really does count and they deserve my full presence.
make it count because staying fit is a big part of who I am. It makes me stronger physically and mentally and makes me a better person.
make it count because I'm a busy working mother and all that I do needs to move me towards my goals

This morning, I went for a run. I really didn't want to. My body was feeling the lingering soreness from yesterday's workout and I wasn't sure how I felt about trying to power my legs up the initial uphill mile from my apartment to Prospect Park. But I got dressed and headed out the door because this was the time I had to run. While I knew that it might not be the prettiest run, I wanted to make it count. I knew that regardless, I would have a chance to clear my head, learn something from this run, and build mental endurance. Isn't that more than half the battle? Hearing those voices in your head and then consciously deciding what you are going to do about them? So I kept running. At the end of it, my average pace was just under 9 minutes per mile, the fastest I've run in a really long time. And I felt comfortable doing it.