Monday, September 12, 2022

There is no secret to success. 

What does success look like to you?

For some, success is starting for the first time. For others, success means continuing, or even starting again after stopping.

My wife, Taylor, is an avid runner. She ran track and cross country at Cornell University. I always joke that she is smarter and more athletic than me and that I “married up”. What impresses me most, however, is her continued commitment. Her commitments to exercise, eating healthy, and to our family are all unmatched. Sometimes I question how she is able to do it, how she is able to stay disciplined on days when she just doesn’t feel like it.  

Taylor woke up this morning feeling more tired than usual. When I asked her what keeps her going and why she was still going to workout, her modest response was, “I don’t have a choice, so I just do it.” But i think there is more to look at here. 

What drives people who seemingly can do it all, every day? The first things that come to mind are applied mindset and routine. At this point Taylor doesn’t give herself the option to consider other outcomes. But she didn’t get there overnight. She has been running competitively for nearly two decades. 

We don’t just wake up (especially on a Monday) with years of experience and an impressive performance baseline. Taylor can maintain a 7 minute mile pace for a half marathon (13.1 miles). Her best mile time was sub 5 minutes and she set course records during undergrad at Cornell. I can barely manage 8 minute mile pace. We all have strengths and weaknesses. What matters most is our progress along the way. I am grateful to be able to run. I am excited that I can run 8 minute miles because 8:30 minute miles used to be difficult. 

Whether running for exercise, running a business, or running through hardship, all that matters is starting, continuing, and improving. Life is a marathon. Some people run it fast and over and over, others should be excited to finish once. Wake up each day with a purpose and do not give yourself any other choice but to accomplish something every day. Accomplishing your smallest commitments each day (and yes, on Mondays too) contribute to accomplishing your wildest dreams in the long haul. 

Thank you for reading, see you next Monday!