In Scott Jurek's book, Eat & Run, he described following his four-step checklist on several occasions, particularly during his third Western States 100 (2001), when he suffered torn ligaments at mile 44. The four steps are (1) Feel and acknowledge one's emotions in response to the situation; (2) take stock and assess the situation; (3) think about what can be done to remedy or improve the situation; and (4) separate negative thoughts and emotions from reality and what needs to be done. This checklist obviously worked for him; he won the 2001 race, his third of seven consecutive Western States 100 wins.
Jurek's checklist reminds me of the Boy Scouts' STOP checklist, also a four-step measure to take when something unexpected and bad happens (e.g., getting lost on a hike). The four steps of STOP are (1) Stay put and thus more easily found by rescuers; (2) Think about what resources are available, if the situation should extend into overnight; (3) Observe the surroundings and look for shelter; and (4) Plan what can be done to conserve energy and be as comfortable as possible. Steps 2-4 of the two checklists are quite similar. Step 1 is less obviously but nevertheless also similar. Jurek is talking about getting all those natural feelings that arise in response to some unexpected situation out of oneself and away, so that one can then proceed to step 2. The Boy Scouts are taught to stay put and not worsen the situation by frantically looking for a way out. Staying put allows them to calm down, so that they too can then proceed to step 2.
The two checklists are similar, because they are, of course, just specific instances of general problem solving.
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