Are You Running Your Own Best Race?

One of my favourite images from the Olympics was of South African Chad Le Clos in the 200m butterfly final glancing across to his arch rival Michael Phelps in the next lane. The fact that Phelps went on to win against Le Clos, who’d won the Gold in London four years earlier, holds a poignant lesson for anyone who sometimes spends more time focusing on the progress of others rather than further their own. 

As human beings it’s easy to get caught up comparing how well we’re doing against people around us, particularly those we share the most in common with. Competitors. Colleagues. Family members. Friends. Neighbours.

Don't waste your precious time focused on the good luck or gifts of others. Focus only on making the very most of your own. 

But here’s the deal:

Every minute you spend comparing how well you’re doing against someone else  is a minute you aren’t spending running your own best race.  Not only that, but the very act of comparing yourself generally triggers emotions that leave you feeling either resentful, intimidated, inferior, jealous, flat or fearful that our life just isn’t measuring up… that we aren’t measuring up!  None of which set you up to get on with the task of being more successful in whatever you’re engaged in.  

Le Cros lost to Phelps by 0.04 seconds. Whether he would have still lost had he never glanced over at his rival we will never know. But one thing is certain, had he focused solely on running his own best race he'd likely have come in that little bit faster than he did. 

The truth is that...

To read more click here.

Margie Warrell is a bestselling author, women's leadership coach and international keynote speaker. More information at www.MargieWarrell.com 

To learn about her upcoming Live Brave Women's Weekend click below.