In the words of fitness legend, Fred DeVito:
"If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you."
The word challenge is what springs to mind when – after one-too-many glasses of Rosé – I agreed to run a half marathon with my girlfriends. I applaud those who run. But running has never been “me”. I love to workout – 5 weights sessions a week? Yes, please. Running? No thank you. That’s what other people do.
Except, when I say I’m going to do something, I have to do it. There’s no backing down when it comes to Kelly!
So, the challenge began. I reluctantly pulled on my trainers and off I trotted. I’m not going to lie, those first few sessions were… horrible. What had I done?! But my friends reminded me that I was training to run for a marathon, not a sprint. All I had to do was put one foot in front of the other, all at my own pace…
…Just like starting a business!
I have mentored entrepreneurs for many years now and I realise that the encouragement I give can be applied to running!
Running & Business, they go hand in hand.
When you start a business, you must stretch yourself out of your comfort zone. If your bold idea isn’t challenging you, then it’s likely not to be very bold… or unique. To succeed in your business, you need to put a strategy in place, and the same can be said for running. Those first few sessions were awful for me because I hadn’t created my own personal running strategy. I was just speeding off, with no thought, no clear plan and, well, no breath!
Your business can’t flourish if you race ahead at full speed.
It’s not about getting to the finish line first, but about moving your business forward in a sustainable manner. You want to be in the game for a long time, right? So don’t rush. I remember my teachers at school saying, “Don’t rush your writing, I won’t be able to read it!” The same goes for the way you manage your business, and of course, the way you train your body to run.
The Next Step
In the beginning, I would end my run feeling relieved it was over. This was a negative mindset. But I knew that I couldn’t keep on lightly jogging small distances because I’d already started to plateau. On the other hand, going full out would surely lead to burn out.
Without a carefully constructed plan, reaching a plateau or suffering burn-out are negative outcomes in business, too. So I challenged myself to the point of change. I took it – literally – one step at a time.
I’m pleased to say that I’ve grown – slowly – into a runner. My distances are getting longer, steps feel lighter.
Witnessing the strategy work has created a positive vibe to my training. I have started to feel elated at end of my runs, and why? Because I feel like I can achieve ANYTHING!
And what’s more, if I can do it, so can YOU!
