What does good look like for you?

Hey Reader,

Something interesting came up on our pod this week.

We answered a listener’s question about a piece of running advice we were given that turned out to be completely wrong for us.

I’ve had my fair share of this experience.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve done a couple of stock training plans from some great coaches.

Last year, getting ready for the Leadville 100-mile race, I used a running plan that had a big focus on running economy.

Basically, it means how little effort it takes you to hold a certain pace.

Like, two runners can be just as fit as each other, but one of them burns way less energy running the same speed. That runner has better running economy.

The plan didn’t really get my legs strong enough for a 100-mile race.

So this spring, I switched things up and went all in on a strength-focused plan instead, and it worked.

My legs are properly strong right now.

But I don’t think I’m as fast as I was.

It’s not so much that the advice or plan is wrong, but it didn’t fully work for me in terms of what I was training for.

And I know a lot of high achievers have experienced this too.

🧠 A good plan can be bad for you

You know that feeling when you’re doing everything right, and it’s still not quite working?

Like, you find something that clearly worked for someone you respect, at a level you’re chasing.

Maybe in fitness, work, relationship, business, or for a passion you're chasing.

And it just makes sense to go for it.

That’s not a bad instinct.

Most of the time, it’s actually a smart one.

But what if the result was what good looks like for them, and yours is a little different right now?

There’s a gap between a plan that’s proven to work and a plan that’s right for where you’re at.

So you’re most likely not the problem.

You’re just doing everything right for the wrong outcome, even though it sounds brilliant and desirable.

And that’s why it’s not fully working for you.

❤️ What good looks like for you

Before you take on any plan or advice, get clear on what you’re actually trying to build right now.

Narrow it down to what good looks like for you now, aside from the big picture.

When you’re clear on your focus now, weighing up advice becomes so much easier.

You can tell straight away if something is right for you now, right for you later, or just not for you at all.

You’ll save yourself a whole lot of time and resources doing something that will actually work for you.

And you’ll feel a lot more settled saying no to something that won't fully serve what you’re trying to achieve now.

The advice doesn’t have to be wrong.

You just know that’s not what you’re looking for.

So what piece of advice or plan are you following right now in work, life, fitness, or passion?

Is it genuinely helping you get what you really need from it?

You have the free will to change course if it’s not working for you.

And the fact that it worked for others doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.

It just doesn’t serve your purpose right now.

And that’s fine.

Figure out what works for you and run with it.

Own your path.

You’ve got this.

With appreciation,

Huw

P.S: We got into this on this week’s pod.

We also talked about whether AI training plans can actually replace a real coach, and the case for and against running with headphones. Plus loads more good topics.

Take a listen here.