Daily Sediment
Dr. David Sweet
Transforming Leadership Teams in Japan | 25+ Years of Executive Recruitment Expertise | Author | Podcast Host | Marathoner
I’m 58 kilometers into the Shibamata100 kilometer race and I think to myself: “Great, only a full-marathon to go.” Shortly after that, the pain starts to set in. First, there’s a pain in my left thigh. I keep running and the pain slowly works itself out. After another kilometer or so, a new pain arrives and settles in. I welcomed it. A few minutes later, a new pain enters than dissipates. Pain after pain arrives and settles in, only to be replaced by another.?
You know sand settles into sediment to make the layers in mountains? That’s how the pain felt: it came, settled in gently, spread out, then was replaced by a new layer.?
What I realized, though, is pain, just like any experience, comes from an unknown place, settles in, and helps us build who we are. Some runs are easy, but it’s the tough one that build character.?
Jeffrey J. Fox, who wrote a couple of my favorite business books: How to Become a Rainmaker and How to Become CEO, gave the advice to those who want to be a leader to “do something hard and lonely.”
That about sums up running.?
He goes on to say that such a regular practice of doing something solitary helps increase mental toughness, which every leader needs.?
Leaders from all times and places I know do this. A few of the leaders I respect in my life inspire me to keep going by their solitary practice that builds mental toughness in their lives:?
领英推荐
They go out alone, every day, and create layers of sediment to help them build a mountain of a life.
What do you do that builds your mountain??
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David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Japan, a leading executive search firm. He is author of six books and holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Development. For more information,?follow his running on?Strava?or?contact him at?[email protected]?
Facilitator and Executive Coach - Ikigai and Inclusion, Host of "Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai" Podcast, Illustrator/ Artist, #IamRemarkable Silver Tier Facilitator
1 年I didn’t paint for a little bit but today I made a loom and started to learn to weave. Turning 100 tshirts and their stories into art is hard (a lot of new skills, experimenting, disappointment) and I’m alone but not lonely. It’s also meditative, rewards and a process that I’m relishing. (My shoulders and back not so much!)
Manager of Development
1 年??Japan Retained Search?? I help SMEs find Country Managers, CFOs and Marketing Directors
1 年Insightful commentary, David. It’s good to be comfortable in solitude and learn to overcome challenges alone. Good thing you didn’t pull a calf muscle on that run though ??
Helping companies to become employers of choice
1 年Ironman racing
Managing Director at Smart Partners KK
1 年2 things will fix most issues your life or at least help you get through them as best you can: sweat and pipeline.