Mud Is Part of the Race
One of the great spectacles in sports is the Kentucky Derby. Even if you don’t regularly watch horse racing, there’s something about the event that draws millions of people in. It’s why the event has garnered the famous moniker, “The two most exciting minutes in sports.”
A couple of years ago, I learned something about horse racing that I had never really paid attention to. If you look closely at jockeys, especially in muddy conditions, you may notice something interesting. They’re often not just wearing one pair of goggles. They’re wearing several.
As the race unfolds, the horses up front kick back dirt, debris, and thick clumps of mud. It hits the jockey right in the face, again and again.
No matter how prepared or experienced a jockey is, if they’re in the race, they’re going to get hit with mud so it’s become something they proactively prepare for.
When the first pair of goggles becomes too caked with dirt to see clearly, they simply reach up, pull off the dirty pair, and underneath is a clean lens.
Each new pair of goggles offers something important within the race: A fresh view.
Their goal isn’t to avoid the mud. It’s to have a way to clear it before it changes how they run the race.
Create a Reset and Find Your Fresh View
Real life throws mud at us all the time. The problem is that many of us don’t notice when our lens gets covered.
We just keep moving forward with blurry vision or leading while still carrying the residue of the last mistake, the last loss, the last conflict, or the last comment that got under our skin.
When our lens is covered, a hard conversation can start to feel like disrespect. A mistake can start to feel like proof we’re not good enough. A slow season can start to feel like nothing is working. A stressful day can start to feel like a new permanent reality.
In these instances, sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply change your goggles.
One of the best athletes in the world, Novak Djokovic, has his own version of this.
During tennis matches, especially after a lost set or a difficult stretch, Djokovic has become known for taking “tactical bathroom breaks.”
Some people criticize it. Some call it gamesmanship. but Djokovic has described those moments as an important mental reset. It’s a chance to collect himself and it’s a chance to return to the match as, in his words, a “new person.”
He’s changing his goggles. He’s creating a moment to reset his mind, clear his lens, and return with greater focus.
Change Your Goggles
Have you changed your goggles lately?
If you’re pursuing something meaningful, it may be worth asking:
Where has my perspective gotten muddy?
What would help me clear the lens before I take my next step?
The good news is developing your own mental reset can occur in many different forms.
Going for a walk.
A quiet drive.
A conversation with someone you trust.
A few minutes of journaling.
Physically working out.
A breath before responding.
Re-reading a note, quote, prayer, or reminder that grounds you.
Taking a shower.
A night of prioritizing better sleep.
The key is simply giving yourself a moment to step away so you can come back with more clarity and intention.
Similar to jockeys, the goal isn’t to avoid the mud. Mud is inevitable in life. The goal is to have a way to clear it.
Closing Thoughts
The mud that gets thrown at us in sport and life is proof that you’re actually in the race. You may not be able to control when the mud gets kicked your way, but you can build the awareness and discipline to notice when it’s starting to cover your lens.
The key is not pretending it won’t hit you. The key is knowing how to clear your vision when it does.
Clear the way and enjoy your race.
Win More, Live Better Podcast
For those interested in checking out my podcast, you’ll find a compilation of my most recent episodes below.
Solo Episodes:
Guest Interviews:
Dan Meske, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, University of Louisville
