Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Abdullah Tariq
2 min readNov 11, 2023

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In our fast-paced society, it is easy to fall into the misconception that success should come quickly and effortlessly. We are constantly bombarded with stories of overnight sensations and instant gratification, leading us to believe that everything in life should be achieved in a sprint. However, the reality is quite different. Life is more of a marathon than a sprint.

Early Insights on the Marathon of Starting a Business

I’m still early in my marathon career in the context of starting a business, so I’m aware that I’ll uncover further insights along the way. However, I’ve already encountered some profound realizations about the parallels between running a marathon and pursuing long-term goals.

At first, I used to think that comparing a race that takes a few hours to a startup wasn’t representative of how hard it is to get a company off the ground. My tune changed when I ran a marathon.

Discovering Parallels: Marathon vs. Entrepreneurship

During the marathon, I discovered that it’s a mental roller-coaster that often mirrors the emotional ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship. There are moments when you feel unstoppable, as if you could conquer the world, and then suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, your legs begin to protest, and you’re left questioning your ability to continue.

Endurance, Willpower, and the Entrepreneurial Journey

The marathon, like the entrepreneurial journey, is a test of endurance, willpower, and mental fortitude. It teaches us that success is not guaranteed, and setbacks are a part of the process. It reminds us that even when things get tough, we have the capacity to push through and reach the finish line.

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Abdullah Tariq

Entrepreneur & Business Consultant. Founder @BestoPrint