Long distance running is a metaphor for professional life

I had this thought while on a long run this past Sunday and it made so much sense to me…

Running, just like professional life:

can be very hard at the beginning. We leave home insecure about the number of things that might go wrong and think several times that we should’ve stayed home; “What am I doing here?”
makes our brains create barriers that don’t exist. “Oh, I think it’s hurting and it will get worse soon if I don’t stop…”
leads you to that moment when you enter “the zone”, when you get to your own flow, full of confidence and good feelings. “I am so glad I decided to continue, this has been so great!” (No wonder it was about halfway through my run when I decided I should write about this)
has moments of inspiration strike, not when you least expect them, but when you are most ready for them. Kind of like having good ideas in the shower, you have to reach the point during the run when you are most able to tap into the part of your brain that makes connections most naturally. It’s the A-Ha! moment.
eventually, you may get really tired and worried again. Even if you are not hitting the wall yet, bad thoughts might be there with you and you will think about quitting, several times. You will feel you are alone regardless of how many people are around you. Oh, and the pain will probably be real.
will make you feel bad if you quit and will haunt you for a bit…
will make you feel unbelievably accomplished if you finish strong what you started.

And then, at the end of your day in your professional life your bed may be that magical place where you suddenly remember all the things you didn’t get done during the day. If you went for a run that day, you will also be able to find comfort in the wonderful places you let your mind wander.