I just got back from a five mile run along San Diego’s waterfront. The sun was out, the skies clear, and The Chemical Brothers blasted at perfect volume through my iPod.
Yet, for whatever reason, I struggled. Every step was difficult, and every mile challenging.
A few times, I felt like stopping and taking a breather underneath one of the giant sycamore’s.
But, I didn’t. I just kept running.
Not as fast as normal, not as fluid as others that passed me. At time, I had to slow down the pace. But I just kept running.
As I rounded my last turn and headed for my finish, I realized that my business is a lot like my running.
Sometimes it’s easy and fluid. Other time, each step feels like climbing a mountain.
So many others get winded, other get frustrated, and they quit – never experiencing the sheer joy of overcoming. But if you just keep running, you’ll eventually round that last turn and be able to cross your own finish line.
Just Keep Running…
Great analogy. I often consider this while running/working out as well. I’ll find myself saying “Cmon push through. If you can push through this pain/fatigue/challenge with this run, you’ll be able to do the same with your business!”
Once I do, I then find myself reflecting on those moments when it’s late at night and I need to stay up to finish a proposal/presentation: “Cmon, if you could push that run, you can push through and finish this project right!”
Overcoming challenges, mental toughness, and confidence are all traits that apply to both physical activity as well as our work. Honing them in a variety of ways will only make us better.
Adam
Very inspiring. I think this is the difference. Commitment to see it through and operating outside of our current circumstances makes us really powerful. I have developed awareness of when I am about to quit, then the thought that keeps me going is this… “I feel like quitting. THIS is the time to push through. THIS is when it really counts. ” And I push through. And finish with a smile and deep joy. 🙂