014: The Power of Small Choices

Over the course of his life, Vincent Van Gogh wrote more than 650 letters to his brother, Theo, his closest confidant and most loyal supporter. In those letters, the two would share introspective reflections on everything from artistic theories to struggles with loneliness and purpose. 

Recently, I came across a line from one letter in particular (Letter 274, for those intrigued) that read: 

“…the great doesn’t happen through impulse alone, and is a succession of little things that are brought together.” 

Reflecting on this over a mug of tea (and more custard creams than I’d care to confess to), I began to draw parallels between this approach to art and the approach to running. 

Race finishes and artistic masterpieces, It turns out, are put together in much the same way. 

Not through moments of sudden brilliance, but through small repeated actions. 

Step by step. 

Stroke by stroke. 

We often marvel at outcomes as if they arrive fully formed. But what we’re really appreciating is the accumulation of choices. Seemingly inconsequential decisions, made daily, quietly, and with little to know fanfare.

Our successes, then, aren’t hasty happenings or coincidences.

They are designed, deliberately, through time, effort and the choices we make along the way. 

Van Gogh, for all his brilliance, was no stranger to doubt, yet he continued to work.

To make decisions. 

To act in the face of uncertainty.

I think there’s a lesson in that. 

It’s not enough to hold ideas about what we could be or might become. At some point, we have to act, without full certainty, and allow time to render us right or wrong. 

And then act again. 

Great results aren’t born from spontaneous bursts of intensity, but from small, steady, consistent choices repeated and reflected upon over time. 

Viewed this way, the path to realising even the most daunting achievements begins to take shape...

A first 10K

A half marathon PB attempt.

Writing a running blog. 

They cease to be singular, overwhelming feats, and are instead reduced to a series of smaller steps, each one manageable in its own right. 

It’s easy to fee daunted and dwarfed by the scale of a new challenge. But rather than focusing on the shadow it casts, focus instead on the next small set you can take towards its summit. 

Because every easy run, every stretch, every early night… these are all brushstrokes on the canvas of your next masterpiece. 

And for those of you preparing for races in the weeks and months ahead, 5K’s, ultras and everything in between, it’s worth remembering Van Gogh’s words when doubt begins to creep in. 

You’ve laid all your brushstrokes, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what you’ve created.