A Previous Thought from the Trail–Clarity, Focus and One Buoy at a Time

Starve your distractions, feed your focus.

— Unknown —

Today’s writing is a repeat of four years ago…but is quite relevant as this past Saturday morning’s swim in Prairie Creek Reservoir was very challenging. Choppy waters, frigid air temps, and a water temperature of 64 degrees all tried to take my focus from me.

But I had a plan with goals and buoys…


This writing started percolating yesterday morning when I began reflecting upon the key to my swim in 2018 – Ironman Maryland.

While reflecting, I scribbled this chart in my journal. I would give credit to the person responsible for the chart, but I’ve never been able to track it back to its origin. 

I call this chart “The Stress Chart.” When we lack clarity and focus, ambiguity and loss of control exist. If left unattended, we get frustrated, and if we stay frustrated long enough, our frustration turns into stress which leads to burnout, quitting, or medicating the pain of stress through an addiction…been there and got the drug treatment center shirt to prove it. 🙂

My anxiety was peeking just before the swim in the Choptank River because it’s one thing to swim 2.4 miles in a pool with a black line at the bottom and a wall to touch every 25 meters versus swimming in open water with no touches and no black line. Every time I started getting anxious before the swim, I told myself, “One buoy at a time.”

In an Ironman, there are large buoys spaced out every 100 meters. Every 6 to 8 strokes, I would lift my head to ensure I was aligned with the next buoy I had to pass. The buoys gave me clarity and kept me focused, which according to my chart, prevented me from getting frustrated, stressed, and wanting to quit.


I’ve always been a dreamer and a planner, especially since I got into recovery many years ago. (Please note one of the ‘Stress’ options on my chart…”Addiction of Choice.”)

Having a plan keeps me focused and gives me clarity and relieves my fears. A plan won’t prevent challenges from happening, challenges like getting kicked in the head by other swimmers or swallowing brackwater. But after shaking off the kick and clearing my throat it’s much easier to get back on course when I know where I am going.


Do you know where you are going each day? If so, do you have buoys, i.e., goals, to give you focus and clarity?

If not, try planning your week by setting goals and passing by them one at a time to the finish line…it works.

1 Corinthians 9:26, “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.” (TLB) 

P.E.A.C.E.

Jay@EagleLaunch.com

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