Let's face it, as entrepreneurs, our ability to successfully pitch ourselves and/or our businesses depends quite heavily on our ability to project a high level of confidence.
Unfortunately, maintaining a consistently high level of confidence is not always an easy task for an entrepreneur. Whether it's a negative comment on a blog, an "exciting" new product just released by a top competitor, a nasty email from a good client, slower business growth than projected, or even just trouble on the home front, there are many outside forces busily working to chip away at our confidence.
This past weekend was the running of the 2010 RXR LI Marathon. The festival of races, as it's called offers a variety of different events. A full marathon (26.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles), a 10k, a 5k, a one-mile run and a Kids fun run. Despite the unseasonably high heat and humidity, I heard rumors that the number of participants was up 30% from last year. Disclaimer: This number might not be 100% accurate.
For the second year in a row, I participated in the half marathon. While I was pleased with my overall time 1:46:09, putting me within the top 10% of all half-marathon runners, it was not easy. Around mile 7 I was starting to run out of gas but thanks to a "top secret" play-list on my itouch (System of a Down, Tool, Ra, Trapt, Seether, Chevelle and a few other high octane bands) plus the fear of humiliation, I was able to finish.
Joining me in the race was my wife, my friend and one of my clients. While we all ran at completely different speeds I am proud to say that we all finished in under the 3 hour time limit. In the days following the race I noticed a distinct change in every single one of us. I guess you could call it a slight "air of invincibility".
Only about 6 months ago, I brought up the idea of running in this event to my client. (I think the most she had ever run previously was 3 miles) At the time, the thought of running this distance seemed impossible to her. But after 6 months of training and 2 hours and 47 minutes of running, she finished her first half marathon.
By accomplishing this goal she did much more than just get in better shape. She has raised the bar in terms of what she thinks she's capable of, and as a result, I am pretty confident she will be making some other positive changes in her life as well.
I firmly believe that achieving lofty fitness goals is a great way for entrepreneurs to build/maintain that much needed inner confidence while serving as a great lesson in the rewards that can be garnered by operating outside of one's comfort zone...a trait often required by entrepreneurs.
See here's the thing, regardless of whether of not we all travelled to the race together or even held hands as we crossed the finish line, actually running 13.1 miles was something that had to be accomplished ALONE.
Perhaps the next time you nervously contemplate cold calling a potential customer, approaching a "big wig" at a networking meeting, speaking in public, pitching an investor or do anything else outside your comfort zone, you will be able to reflect back on a recent lofty fitness goal you accomplished and you will.............. DO IT ANYWAY!
If you or your company has a knowledge that would help entrepreneurs or small businesses to improve the quality of their workplace, openofficespace.com would love to interview you on Officebytes TV.
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I agree completely. Many busy professionals put their business first, family second(that's another story) and their own health third or much farther down the line.
How can you expect to acheive optimum performance if the most important machine/tool/conduit for success is not working at its higheset level? I am talking about your body!
Getting fit or at least making modest strides in your health will pay dividends that you have not eaven realized yet. Hey, you may even enjoy your grandkids if you are lucky enough to make it that long.
I spend a minimum of five days a week excersing. Many of my friends think I am a bit nuts and wonder how I manage to do it with susch a busy schedule...I think they are nuts wonder how they DON't make time for it. Feel good, look good, perform good(well).
Take a step in the right direction and set a goal and go for it! Why should it be any different that a business goal?
Posted by: Rob Basso | 05/05/2010 at 05:17 PM
Great points Rob!
Posted by: David Gise | 05/06/2010 at 03:19 AM
Congrat'S Dave. Setting goals and pushing through the trying times are what makes champions. You're a champ in my book...Keep your focus, and I'll see you at the Top!
Rahz
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