What Marathon Are You Running Right NOW?
No I’m not talking the NYC marathon or the Boston Marathon or even the Badwater Ultra marathon through the desert. I’m talking about a LIFE marathon. What LIFE marathon are you running right now?
Last month was the NYC Marathon - No, I did not run the marathon, nor do I have any intentions of running one in the near future. I did however immerse myself in the numerous positive stories shared by runners of the marathon. Stories from a blind runner, a runner with downs syndrome, a mom who was 9-months postpartum, numerous first time marathoners. The stories were incredible.
What struck me the most though was this - despite the unique stories, all 51,000 runners of the NYC Marathon had one thing in common. None of them HAD to run the marathon; they GOT to run the marathon. I had to imagine that there were several moments throughout the 26.2 mile journey where quitting sounded like a really good idea. Everyone kept going though because they COULD, not because they had to.
How might this relate to leadership, you ask? Well, consider this: we are all marathon runners. We are all running a virtual marathon somewhere in our professional and/or personal lives.
Perhaps the marathon you are running is called …
The joys and concerns of the Holiday season
OR
Navigating a business consolidation/acquisition/merger
OR
Raising children (this one is more like an ultra marathon)
OR
Negotiating a significant, industry defining business deal with a customer
Whatever the maraton you are running is, I challenge you to look at how you are currently relating to it. Are you relating to it as something you need to get through, or something you HAVE to do?
Are you willing to shift your mindset and relate to this as something you GET to do, that you GET to navigate, that you GET to grow from, that you GET to experience?
For many readers it is time for you to embrace the joys and opportunities that these life marathons are presenting you. And, no leader is designed to take on a marathon alone. Successful completion of a marathon requires a coach.
It is time - time to join us on the leadership court for the February 2024 Leadership Experience, and embrace your own MARATHON. Don’t think about it - CHOOSE it. Not because you have to, because you GET TO.
Only 4 seats remain. GO!
Courage always,
