13 Life and Business Lessons from Running

On my list of “101 Things to Do Before I die” is “Run a Marathon” so I have been thinking of entering the Lagos City Marathon for 2019.

So, on the 14th of April 2018, I ran my first official 10km race. The race was organized by ARM Pensions (a big thank you to them for the excellent organization).

Here are some Life and Business Lessons from the race:

1.    Find Your Why

Whether you are changing jobs, getting into (or out of) a relationship, signing a business proposal or deciding not to pursue a sales lead, you need to know your why. To succeed in anything, your reason for doing that thing must be stronger than your reasons for not doing it.

I was running as part preparation to run Lagos City Marathon in 2019.

I was also running for my wife who wonders why anyone would run when you could just catwalk!

2.    The Need for Adequate Sleep

The need for proper sleep/rest before any big event cannot be overemphasized. Somehow it has become praiseworthy for business people to boast of how little sleep they get. There is absolutely NOTHING noble about that. You will crash and burn. The night before my race, I slept early in order to wake up sharp and ready to go!

3.    It is Self-Respect to be on Time

Do you have a meeting? Be on time

Do you have a date? Be on time

Do you have a job interview? Be on time

Is it Race Day? Be on time!

I got to the venue very early. Got accredited and picked up my kit. It was better for me and the race organizers.

I am yet to understand the concept of “African Time”

4.    Dress for the Occasion

The occasion determines your dressing. And not the other way round.

I wore my Nike Air Max shoe and a short and shirt that I have ran in many times before. I have seen people dress too casual for a job interview. You are addressed the way you dress.

I couldn’t help but feel pity for a guy who was warming up in his Timberland shoes.

5.    In Life You Compete Against Yourself

When you run a sprint, you compete against others. But when you run a marathon (or any endurance race) you compete against yourself; stretching yourself beyond what you thought possible. I wanted to test my limits with this race.

6.    Mind Your Own Business

Kick Off:

The race began at about 7:25 am. Leaving the gate, I advised myself to pace myself properly and conserve energy. A million and one people zoomed past me initially. It didn’t take long for some of them to get tired and fall by the way side. In life, you are in competition with yourself and for that you need to mind your own business; ensuring that you are better today than you were yesterday. That, alone, is your assignment in business and life!

7.    You Need a Team to Achieve a Dream. Get Yourself a Helpmate

TEAM means “Together Everyone Achieves More”

I found myself a partner who ran at a speed that I was comfortable with. We enjoyed running side by side. At intervals he announced the kilometer we have covered and we encouraged each other. You cannot do it alone!

“Self-Made” is a myth!

8.    Be Thankful

As my partner and I ran along, we thanked God in our own different ways.

He is a Muslim while I am a Christian. Yes, we can coexist peacefully together in this country of ours.

Lesson: Despite what lies ahead, be thankful. It could have been worse!

9.    Have Fun!

As we ran, I made sure to enjoy myself. I smiled and made funny faces at people. Waved at spectators. Encouraged others. I even “hi-fived” a guy in a vehicle.

Look, you can be productive at work while having fun! Don’t take yourself too seriously.

10. To Quit or Not to Quit?

As you go along in life, you will see people fall by the roadside. Life will also push you around. At some point in endurance races and in life, your body will want to give up.

The choice is yours.

When that happens, remember your “why”. Remember why you started in the first place.

11. Take a Break. Hydrate

As you run long distances, your body will lose lots of water and electrolytes. Please, hydrate adequately. I made sure to drink plenty of water.

Take breaks and take walks away from your laptop. 

Drink water. Walk around. Do something different. Your back will thank you in your old age.

12. Don’t Compare Your Chapter 1 with Someone’s Chapter 21

In endurance race and life, people will overtake you.

Lots of people ran past me; some those I later overtook.

Are you feeling left behind in life? Never forget that we all have different appointments with God.

13. What’s Your Excuse?

I had fever in the race week.

I had ran only once in about 2 months leading up to this race.

I had never competed in any race before.

In addition to all these, I worked the whole week before this race. Yet I did it, anyways.

What’s holding your dream back?

If you REALLY want to do anything, you will do it.

“Just Do It” ~ Nike