Marathon

Written by a member of the ackn crew
Fitness tracker: check
Shoes: check
Water: check
Perseverance: check…?
Running a marathon requires dedication. Considering the average person runs only a few miles / kilometers before they start walking, a marathon seems too far out of reach. Take the average person and put them in a scenario where they need to run a marathon and more than likely, they won’t even be able to walk the entire distance in one session. What’s even more challenging than running / walking a marathon is the training that’s involved with building up to run a marathon. Runners need to watch what they eat, how often they train, the gear they use, and how they progress upwards towards the marathon distance… all taking place months before the actual race. The amount of perseverance and willpower to continuously set aside time and train for it is enough to break the average person. That’s why, despite all the Ironman and super races out there, running something like a 10km run is still an achievement.
It happened to me once, where I was training for a half marathon. I ended up finishing the 21 km Toronto Scotia Bank Half Marathon, but my legs were sore for about a week straight
Much like building up to running a marathon, achieving success with personal projects or new ventures requires a high level of dedication to the pursuit. However, long-term goals are often forgotten because people focus on small issues or problems and lack long term dedication to reach the desired end state. People tend to forget the importance of preparation and training, and then force themselves to burn out their body.
It happened to me once, where I was training for a half marathon. I ended up finishing the 21 km Toronto Scotia Bank Half Marathon, but my legs were sore for about a week straight. Fortunately, I was not injured, but it taught me a lesson — life is a marathon, not a sprint, and you better be ready to take it on.
Through entrepreneurial experiences, I have learned that rushing to reach any end state is in fact dangerous, similar to artists shooting for a one-hit wonder, or short Hollywood acting stints for 60 seconds of fame. It is an opportunity that could benefit you in the long run, but if you plan to be in the game for awhile, you need to perform well consistently.
It’s common to see young artists hit the charts early in their career, but due to the lack of substance and preparation of a long-term plan, they fade away soon after their initial burst of energy and passion is over. These artists were on the verge of blowing up, however, due to their lack of particular skill sets, or failed to have a plan, they simply faded away.
How does one complete a marathon or achieve success without losing balance throughout the way? Adequate training and preparation is the first step, but pacing your way ahead to achieve goals consistently can lead you to your final destination without killing yourself. Be consistent in achieving excellence in your work to ensure you can maintain and sustain success.
Here are three examples that you should consider when planning long-term “marathon” type goals:
- Develop a sustainable, long-term plan that works for you on a daily basis, and also in the future. Aim to get something done everyday; even though it might not seem much, it adds up in terms of progress and you are one step closer in reaching your goal.
- Focus on realistic milestones, and look at the larger picture by seeing the value of this milestone and why it is important. You need to see why this needs to be achieved as part of your overall goal, or why it might be insignificant and you can focus your energy on another task that will take you to the final destination.
- Celebrate small victories along the way, and remind yourself that your team and yourself is in it for the long stretch. Whenever you can, take a look at what you have achieved, have a drink to it, and move on to the next goal to ensure that you are enjoying your journey and having fun pursuing your dreams.
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