I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul
Mantras – what do they really mean and how can they help?
Many people have mantras, either for how they live their lives, or relating to how they turn up and train. In this small series, Coach Denise looks at the mantras which have meaning to her personally, and shares how they help her with both life and training.
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” - William Ernest Henley
This mantra is a quote from the Invictus poem by William Ernest Henley, and may be familiar to you as it was used by the Invictus Games, which is where I first came across it. The whole poem is at the end of this piece.
For me, this mantra helps me to understand that whatever may be going on in life, with work, with family, community or even internationally, I have the ability to control my own fate and destiny. How I react to what is going on in the world, or my closer community, can help me take control of what I do and how I do it.
One area which can be very difficult for me is listening to the news. With so much negativity in the world, truly terrible things occurring, it can sometimes feel like the world is a very dark place. What can really help is to think about circles of concern, influence and control. Steven Covey introduced this idea in his book; 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
The circle of control is those things we care about and can control completely.
The circle of influence is those things we care about and can influence in some way.
The circle of concern is those things we care about but have no ability to influence at all.
If we focus on the circle of concern, such as international events or social media trends, then it can feel like everything is out of our control, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and helplessness.
If we focus on the circles of influence and control, these are parts of our lives where we can manage what we do, what others do and to some extent how we react to things that happen. This can help to build positive feelings where we can affect what happens around us..
Relating this to training and racing then there are many things I cannot control. I cannot control who else turns up on race day, I cannot change what the weather does on key training or race days, I have no power over travel plans going totally awry due to cancelled planes, trains or major road incidents.
However, there are many things I can control; I can focus on completing my training to the best of my ability; I can make sure I have practised with all my race equipment and nutrition; I can have my bike serviced a couple of weeks in advance of a key race; I can make sure there is nothing new on race day.
There are some other areas I can influence, if not control. For example, I can travel to the race a couple of days in advance to make sure any travel hitches do not prevent me from racing or adding stress onto the event.
This is where a coach can really help you to identify:
what areas are totally in your control and you can manage, such as what to wear when training and racing
what areas are not fully in your control, but you can influence. This could be something like coming to an agreement with a partner over when big training sessions can happen, training with the same kit as you will use for racing, and so on
what areas may be of concern, but do not need to be the main area of focus, such as being prepared for whatever the weather can do on race day.
By focusing on the areas of control and influence then it is possible to be the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley
Denise has been coaching triathletes since 2019 as a coach at her local triathlon club in West Lothian. Between 2019 and 2022, Denise was the Head coach in the club, working with a team of coaches to support and develop triathletes with a wide range of capabilities, completing her BTF Triathlon Level 2 coaching qualification in 2021.
Denise joined Tri Training Harder as a coach in 2021, building on the qualifications through the experience and knowledge passed on by the coaching team.
In 2019 Denise set up and continues to run her own Jog Scotland running group, a mixed ability group of runners who meet weekly. This delivers on her passion for helping people to do much more than they think they can.
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