Running Tough
Anyone who has run a marathon—as I have—knows just how tough it can be. And that it’s not about how you start, but how you finish. And it’s not even about HOW you finish, it’s just about finishing! It’s about the phrase, “Just do it”—whether it’s through scorching sun in the Desert, or driving rain in the mountains. You can see the rain clouds up ahead, and you keep going, although the little voice in the back of your head is saying, “Uh-oh—this looks bad—this is gonna be rough—you can turn back, ya know.” And you thank the little voice for sharing . . .and trek on, right?
Yesterday, I watched the games of the 5th Sunday of the NFL season, and one game in particular. The sorry Cleveland Browns (0-4) were going to the Meadowlands stadium to play the reigning Super Bowl champs, the NY Giants (2-2). Both teams have outstanding Running Backs. Ahmad Bradshaw of the Giants is back from injury, and really motivated now that he’s back. Trent Richardson of the Browns is only 5’9” tall and he is terrific! Talk about running tough! He holds onto the ball with both hands because he KNOWS he is going to get hit by one or more huge guys who are over 6 feet tall. Several times, he was near the sideline, and could have stepped out, and avoided the hit. But Trent Richardson chose to stay in, get a few extra yards, and thus, closer to his goal—the end zone—for points! At one point, a defender grabbed Richardson’s foot, and hung on as Richardson HOPPED forward for another yard and a half! Yes, that takes great strength, but our lesson is the determination and commitment. We are always choosing to tough it out or step out on the sideline, aren’t we?
Last Friday, I attended Cathy Alessandra’s (todaysinnovativewoman.com) Success Summit—a fabulous women’s conference with fabulous speakers. One of them, Debbie Delgado (ideallifecoach.com) really got to me. She challenged us to look at the following: are we working every day to be liked or make the sale? Do we want the “yes” so much more that we don’t risk the “no” in making a sale? Do we stick with the easy “yes” and market just to THOSE people? Wow. Did I need to hear that or what? Watching Trent Richardson yesterday gave me courage—the courage to actually CALL some of those risky I-might-get-rejected-people. What’s the worst that can happen? There are no 270-pound linemen gonna take me down and hurt me. . .someone might say “no” and I will say “thank you” and then, to myself, “NEXT!”
When you commit to a business, you commit to running tough, no matter what. We find ways to motivate ourselves; we set goals; we commit to action plans to get those goals accomplished—with program and a schedule. And it’s hard, and sometimes, not fun. But do we want it? Did we choose the running? Yes! And turning back is not an option, is it? Nope.