Beginner’s Luck: The Year of No Nonsense

Think about taking your goals in a different direction in 2018.

A couple of months ago, I decided that I was done with nonsense in my life. I wasn’t sure, at the time, what that looked like. However, the last year was seriously so full of nonsense, that I knew I couldn’t bear a repeat of that. Of course, the elephant in the room: much of my life has been one giant exercise in nonsense. From starting triathlon with absolutely no real ability to running a marathon as a pusher to four Ironman races—I’ve had my fair share of nonsense, for sure.

I am talking about a different kind of nonsense, though. Swimming, cycling, and running can have plenty of crazy for sure. However, the more I talk with people, the more I learn that everyone their own particular brand of nonsense—whether it’s self-sabotage, being stuck in the past and unable to move forward, or staying in a job that is killing your soul—everyone seems to have something digging at them.

I started a fun campaign called “The Year of No Nonsense,” which has exploded so fast that I am calling it a revolution. It essentially encompasses a pledge to the following:

• Show up to my life the best way I can, every single day
• Get out of my own way
• Forgive myself for the past
• Be present in the day-to-day
• Look towards the future with a positive attitude
• Prioritize the positive changes I want to make
• Stop the drama in my own life
• Stop participating in the drama that shows up
• Surround myself with positive influences
• Be kind to myself and others
• Stop the unique brand of nonsense in my own life

As the ad hoc project has unraveled, people are adding their own statements and what no nonsense means in their lives, and particularly in regard to triathlon and fitness.

Many people are writing that they pledge to:

• Show up for my workouts each and every day
• Give myself grace when life gets in the way of training
• Stop comparing myself to others
• Be kinder to those in their triathlon communities and groups—even when those people might not be extending the same courtesy
• Bring in new people into the triathlon fold
• Keep my goals in mind at all times

I love the “Year of No Nonsense,” because so often it’s difficult to find something to strive for, that serves all areas of our lives. Sure, we can set big swim and bike and run goals—but where does that leave the rest of our daily lives?

Assessing our current lives and our own particular brand of nonsense is a productive way to start to make sustainable changes. Once we identify what is nonsense and what is not, then we are able to at least know when we are getting mired down in the crazy, nonsensical segments of life that weigh us down. The next step, however, is to actually stop the nonsense—which, of course, is another story for another day.

Meredith Atwood (@SwimBikeMom) is a recovering attorney, motivational speaker and author of Triathlon for the Every Woman. You can download a free copy of the book here. You can take the “Year of No Nonsense” pledge at Yearofnononsense.com, and join the revolution. She is the host of the podcast, The Same 24 Hours, a show which interviews interesting people who make the best of the 24 hours in each day. Meredith lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children, and writes about all things at MeredithAtwood.com.