The Problem With Redlining
UK Special Forces are some of the best in the world.
But these tier-1 operators often have an inherent problem:
Redlining.
What is it, why your health and productivity will likely suffer from it too and how you can fix it:
What is redlining?
Think of a car and you are accelerating without shifting gears.
The needle will hit the red quickly and although the car is still going, the car is going to break if you keep going for too long.
It’s the same with us.
Our bodies and minds can redline for a bit, but doing so for longer will destroy us.
Why do SF operators do it?
Last week I hiked up the UK’s highest mountain with a sports psychologist who supports UKSF.
These operators are typlically A-type personalities who have shown to excel when faced with adversity.
But they are used to always pushing the limits. Whether they are deployed or back home. They tend to “redline”.
How you do it
You’re busy. So much more busy than 3 years ago.
Your family demands keep growing.
Your boss/business needs more from you.
Business itself is way more demanding with a constant barrage of messages through 10 different channels.
What effect does redlining have?
The first category of effects from always pushing the accelerator to the floor is: stress.
Your body and mind cannot handle this relentless amount of pressure, which often lead to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
The second effect is: lack of capacity
When UKSF go on deployment, they need to go with fuel in the tank.
They will need to redline at times, but if they are already at max, what more do they have to give?
The same is true for you.
How do you fix it
It starts by realizing that you are pushing too hard.
Analyse your lifestyle. What habits are causing you to lead a life of perpetual stress?
Next, you go back to basics.
Fix your sleep.
Fix your diet.
Get outside and move daily.
Understand that building capacity does not mean wasting of time/energy.
And then you are ready again to deal with adversity when it finds you.
