Only you can cross the finish line

Many years ago, a client of mine asked me to run the Port Elizabeth mini marathon with their team. I am firmly positioned in the camp that you should only ever run if someone is chasing you, but in the interests of team spirit, I agreed. Not wanting to make a fool of myself, I started training so that I could finish strong.

I mapped out a route round the cricket stadium in my home in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape that matched the distance that I would need to run for the event. My training partner was the PR of my client. However, she dropped out of training early in our quest. Yet I continued with my training alone.?

Nothing could quite have prepared me for the actual race. The route looked very different to my solitary, silent, and yet determined laps around the cricket stadium. The experience assaulted my senses as I tried to acclimatise to the energy of the mini marathon.?

There was a throng of people of all shapes and sizes. The mix of sea breeze and run through cubicles with bursts of spray cooled participants off. Supporters in corporate marketing t-shirts were trying to thrust sachets into runners’ hands. There was a throng of clapping and cheering spectators bunched up along the sidewalks. Then there was the steady pounding of my running shoes, as I tried to weave between the mixture of slow and fast runners. This world felt alien and overwhelming to me.

It is very much like writing a book. The reality is never quite what we expected. There seems to be so much noise about writing, editing, marketing and book launches. The sense of overwhelm makes many people simply drop out of the race, unable to visualise themselves crossing the finishing line.

Perhaps there was something about my determination to finish the race that attracted a group of more seasoned runners. They realised I had no clue what I was doing. My new “champions” quickly boxed me in and set the pace for me as we ran along. Once I got that “second wind”, they silently dispersed and continued with their own race. Without them, I would have given into the temptation of being part of the dropout statistics.?

In the same way, I have found this sort of support within the writing and speaking community. It is why I am passionate about supporting the aspiring authors who want to get their message out there and build a legacy.?

No matter how much support you have, sometimes you feel your energy and determination wane. I felt that way within a kilometre of the stadium, where a much larger crowd was waiting for the runners to cross the finish line. Another runner paired up with me, encouraging me to run in time with him. When he put his right foot down, so did I. He remained with me, pacing me, until we reached the stadium gates.?

After a cheery wave, his parting words were, “You will enter this stadium alone. You can do it.” Never could I have imagined that so many strangers could cheer for a novice runner. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

I realised in his wisdom, my fellow runner knew what having that small moment of adoration could do for my self esteem. I ran alone, knowing that even though these remarkable people had supported me, it was my willingness to start and finish that carried me through.

When you choose to write a book, there are people who will fall away and not believe in your dream. There are others who will support you from afar and then there are those rare people who will go the distance with you. In the end, choosing to leave a legacy will be your decision.

You are the only one that can write that closing chapter.

Is your legacy with investing in?

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Kim is a multi-talented South African author, speaker, trainer, coach and publisher who has been helping authors, entrepreneurs and knowledge workers build their brands for over 20 years.

With a passion for bringing wisdom back into the art of storytelling, Kim has touched the hearts of many with her medieval fantasy series, while also empowering aspiring authors to turn their dreams into reality.

Kim's super power lies in using crushing events to transform not only herself but also the hearts and minds of others.

Tap into her wealth of knowledge and expertise in building successful book-preneur businesses. Whether you're an aspiring author, entrepreneur or brand manager, Kim's insights and experience will help you create a strong foundation for achieving your goals.