Running a marathon - lessons for leadership
Running a marathon - lessons for leadership
I love to run. Most people looking at me think I love to eat and yes, it's true. However, my physical size very much creates a false impression, as I would be twicemy size if I did not run. In the last 10 years I have run 16 half marathons.
But to the purpose of the story. Afterrecently finishing two half marathons (last one 1.55 -not bad for asmall, fat Irishman) I have come to the conclusion that there are 7 lessons that apply in my world of running that often apply to my world of work as CEO & Managing Partner.
1. Fail to prepare; prepare to fail.
You cannot achieve the miles without doing the miles. It is imperative that you work and prepare as at the 10 mile or 20 mile point, lack of preparation comes back to haunt you. In work those who are prepared to learn, are those who are prepared to grow.
2. Start slow, finish slow, but still finish.
They tell you to start slow so that you can finish strong. But sometimes you start slow and finish slow. I was more interested in the beauty of mysurroundings and asa shire horse plodding along I had the opportunity to survey and breathe it in. Sometimes the best things in life are slow and easy, not fast and furious.
3.It's your race, run it your own way.
Remember the race is only against yourself. You decide how you want to do it. Too often we allow other people to either set the agenda, or we are trying to prove a point. Do it for yourself.
4. Sex motivates but smiles and encouragement are even better.
Most people were as focused on "their race" as I was onmine.However,a number of people took the time to call out encouragement to me and offer friendly smiles which radiated, "You're doing great. Don't give up". The amazing thing is that it was usually women who were encouraging. The guys were mostly concentrated on getting to the finish line. The women were more oftenrunning in twos and threes and were more tuned in to an older runner doinghis best to hang in there. I'll be eternally grateful for the spontaneouskindness they offered.
5. Somebody always has it worse than you.
Yes its true -you will always see people struggling and I am always amazed at the number of people who sprint start and then you meet them walking at mile 2. Enjoy what you are doing, and do not feel alone or isolated.
6. Don't start off too fast consistency is key.
It is extremely tempting to want to start off the race by running really fast. In life, I have found that taking things day-to-day and consistently moving in the right direction is the best way to go. Otherwise, you risk getting burned out.
7. You will hit "the wall" (and you will just have to find a way to make it through).
During my training, I often wondered if what people said about hitting "the wall" was true. I can tell you that it is! I have found that I have also hit "the wall" pretty much every time I have tried to accomplish something significant in my life. You just have to put one foot in front of the other until you reach the finish line. Perhaps this is simply the price you have to pay to accomplish big things.
Now I was supposed to runthe New York Marathonbut the achilles has done me in. My next run is Barcelona for Valentine's Day. However, I still have my early morning run on the North East of Englandshores so if you happen across an Irish guy, running with a 2 year old in a buggy and two big dogs called Guinness and Murphy (they would be called that!) stop and say hello - I will be eternally grateful for the break.
Written By: Maurice Duffy http://www.articlesbase.com/leadership-articles/running-a-marathon-lessons-for-leadership-3615589.html
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