Create cocktails and put lemons in...

COVID happened and I began short walks to change the work-from-home scenery.  Walks extended, evolved to jogging and I now run 3 miles every morning.  I last ran in high school – actually, cross-country running – braving cold, rainy days and trudging through muddy forests, ponds and smelly cow pats.  The cows were grinning at us.

Worries…“Knees and back ache, breathe, don’t pass out or vomit”; negative thoughts…“Don’t go, it just rained, it’s raining, it’s going to rain” and mind games…“Uphill? That was downhill yesterday”.  Music plays: “Everybody hurts” states R.E.M, “Come home” taunts OneRepublic and “Running to stand still” mocks U2.  

I learned the many parallels between running and navigating a career journey:

1. Accountable to ourselves

Some people quickly claim responsibility, seemingly delegate, but micro-manage to keep control. 

Blend rolling up our sleeves and delegating.  Put in the effort.  Can’t delegate running!

2. Accomplish today's goals

Some people set ill-informed long-term targets, loudly proclaim, fail to achieve and blame others.

Consistently accomplish short-term goals along the path to long-term success.  Results speak…do it today, reflect and do it again tomorrow!  

3.     Set our pace

Some people view colleagues as threats and pursue personal agendas to the detriment of the company.

Compete with no-one!  Everyone maintains their pace for their own reasons.

4.     Grit is vital

Some people take credit for successes.  When it gets tough, they find reasons not to execute, make excuses and point fingers.

Truly own it!  Some days it’s hard, push through discomfort, focus on what you control, pivot and create solutions.  

Rudyard Kipling wrote “If you fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!”

5 months on, 25 pounds lighter and back ache vanished.  I feel healthier, proud and energetic.  Music plays: “Believer” belts Imagine Dragons, “So alive” exclaims Goo Goo Dolls and “I did it my way” reminds Frank Sinatra. I’m off for today’s run…“Wait, did I feel rain?  No, but that pigeon is grinning at me”