“Direction changes how effort feels.”
Hey Rollers,
I was running through the Groot Constantia vineyards yesterday and noticed something simple.
The direction I was running in meant the sun was positioned just right for my shadow to fall directly in front of me, instead of behind me where it had been sitting. Nothing profound happened in that moment. It didn’t stop me in my tracks (shout out to AI for making that a phrase we can no longer use). I just gave it a little “Hmm” and kept moving.
The reason it caught my attention is that our shadow behind us, out of sight, becomes an easy metaphor for pressure, expectations, unfinished business, or that low-level sense of being chased by what we haven’t yet figured out.
We keep moving, but never quite feeling in control of the direction. We push forward not because we’re clear on where we’re going, but because standing still feels worse.
Seeing my shadow in front of me gave me a different frame to think with.
When your shadow is behind you, it can feel like you’re running from something.
When it’s in front, the same movement starts to look like you’re running toward something.
The work, the pace, and the effort don’t change but your orientation does.
And that orientation matters more than we realise or admit.
I think many people work hard while feeling vaguely unsettled. Not because they lack discipline or resilience, but because their effort isn’t clearly pointed at something they’ve chosen. This motion without direction has a way of creating unease.
There’s a real strength in leading yourself instead of reacting to what’s chasing you.
It means deciding what you’re moving toward (a standard, a value, a version of yourself you respect) and letting that guide the direction.
And the beautiful thing is that when you choose orientation over urgency, your resilience, grit, and vasbyt surge too.
That’s because a large part of grit is fit. Taking on and enduring more because you’ve chosen what it is driving you towards. It feels right, even if it doesn’t feel comfortable.
So, don’t try to outrun your shadow. Just notice where it’s lying.
Until next week.
Keep rolling.
Justin 👊
Take Action in 3 Minutes:
Think about something you’re putting real effort into right now.
Ask yourself this, honestly:
👉 Does this feel like I’m running from something or toward something?
If it feels reactive, ask one follow-up question:
What would I be aiming at if I were choosing the direction?