Passion, Progress, and Priorities

Happy New Years, Running Shogun Community!

As we embrace the dawn of a new year, it's time to lace up our shoes and set the course for a journey filled with passion, progress, and intentional priorities. Join me as I share reflections on my running adventures and the simple yet profound lessons they bring.

1 Setting the Pace for the Year:

The thrill of planning races is an integral part of my running joy. With my A race, the Barcelona Marathon, set for March, the excitement is palpable. The key, however, lies in maintaining momentum beyond the finish line, ready to tackle the next challenge. During the New Years break, I surfed the internet trying to find my autumn race and my next A race. Any recommendations? I’m thinking about Palermo.?

2 Quality over Quantity:

When I started running, and had tackled my first marathon, I'd run any race that came my way, reveling in the sheer joy of it all, doing 2 or 3 races a month. As I've evolved as a runner, the focus has shifted. Now, it's about competing with myself, aiming for improvement and reaching my true potential. The journey of practice, drills, and intervals is as exhilarating as the races themselves. As the stoic Seneca wrote, "It is quality rather than quantity that matters."?

3 Balancing Act: Running and Beyond:

"How do you have time for it all?" is a question I often face. Balancing a company, races, writing, music, and more may seem daunting, but it boils down to not making things bigger than they are. Small, consistent steps each day make the seemingly impossible achievable.

4 Betting on Yourself:

Zig Ziglar once said, "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." Reflecting on a memorable 5K race challenge from years ago, I ponder the importance of mental discipline and the alignment of desire with execution. We often set ourselves up for success but falter in execution. It's a reminder to bet on ourselves and stay committed to our goals. Take small steps. "Little by little, one travels far,” wrote J.R.R. Tolkien. One is the smallest, easiest step you can take today to reach your goal? Do it.?

5 The Flame of Passion:

New Year's resolutions can become a wasteland of abandoned dreams. Instead, let's focus on where our passion lies, understanding that passions evolve. As Steve Jobs said, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." Whether it leads to running, a passion for rockabilly, drawing trees, Bikram yoga, or woodworking, the key is to take small actions consistently. Like a flame, passion requires daily attention to prevent neglect and abandonment.

6 A Toast to the Year of the Dragon:

Here's to a fantastic year filled with the determination and strength symbolized by the Dragon. May each step forward be guided by passion, progress, and well-defined priorities.

Wishing you a year of victorious races, personal bests, and the unwavering flame of passion.

David

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David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Japan, a leading executive search firm. He is the 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]

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