Unlike my husband (and now my sons), I was never really an athlete when I was young. I played school sports but only because back then (much like now), I overcommitted myself and got involved in everything. It wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that I discovered my serious love for working out and running.
Treadmill running is fine but outdoor running is my guilty pleasure. Running has application to everything for me - motherhood, marriage, friendship… but especially entrepreneurship. It’s a solo activity, even when you’re in a crowd of runners.
It has the potential to be lonely and devastating. But one thing is for certain- the success of every run is determined more by my head and thoughts than what my body does or how fast it moves. It starts with my intention. Some days it’s an escape run- I need to turn my brain off and just go. Other days I have something to prove to myself and want to push a new speed or distance. Some days it’s a gift of a run where it’s all about the music.
Success starts with lacing up and going. Even on days where I don’t want to start, I’m always happy I did and usually adding a little extra at the end.
Not that different from being a business owner. I live on calls most of every day and when I’m not working, I’m on Mom/Wife duty. So runs are also a rare treat where I get to listen to music and escape. And before you ask what’s on my playlists- we’ll just say it’s always eclectic and often explicit.
There’s a real gem hidden in every playlist though...
It’s the space between the songs.
I have my playlists set with tempo in mind. On speed run days my playlist tempo is significantly higher than long runs. It doesn’t matter how high the tempo is when the song ends and there’s dead air. All I hear is the sound of my own labored breath and my soles hitting the pavement, maybe the rush of a car passing. Out of curiosity, I started looking at my pace in those between moments and it consistently dropped. So that became my challenge within a challenge- not just to hold my pace in the silence- but to increase my speed. No boost from the music- it’s all me.
The application to my entrepreneurial journey was profound. Everyone tells you being on your own is hard and lonely. They also tell you it’s rewarding and worth it. All true.
But nobody tells you about the silence between the songs. The times between clients or projects. The times where things slow and all that’s there is you. If you’re not careful, your pace will slow. Your morale will dip.
I discovered my potential as a runner in between songs. My grit and identity as an entrepreneur have been the same. When the silence is deafening, the challenge within the challenge has been to push the hardest then.
Take an opportunity to reflect and learn from the last client/ project and pivot, picking up the pace.
There’s no glamour in the in-between moment. But there’s also no shame.
The last 12 months have been an “in between” time for me…and the best, most productive I’ve had. It’s helped me refine my vision and clarify my purpose.
I’ve always prided myself on being a ninja of sorts, always behind the scenes, quietly fixing and building.
My next song is about to start and it’s more of an anthem. And I’m not afraid to share it!
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