Sprints Vs. Marathons

I've spoken to more than a few full-time and wannabe entrepreneurs lately who say that their stress levels have never been higher. And at times, I can definitely lump myself in with that group!

Sometimes that's just part of working and being in business. But there are times when you need an outlet to relieve the tension. One of my clients recently posted a video about how she takes breaks during the day to play with her dog. Me? My favorite thing to do is go for a run, especially at the beach.

When I was in high school, I was a competitive sprinter and jumper. I hated having to run more than a couple of laps around the track because, in my mind, I was strictly a short distance girl. When I questioned my coach about why I needed to run 3 miles if my best distance was only 200 meters, she replied, "Trust me. It's important."

And she was right. Logging in those longer distances was not nearly as fun or glamorous as the sprints, but they laid the foundation for the explosive power and speed I needed to finish strong.

As age caught up with me, I reluctantly transitioned to being a long distance runner. (That's me in the middle of that photo, finishing my one and only marathon in Honolulu a few years ago.) Now those longer distances are what I love the most.

Sprints and marathons are also part of running a business. Sometimes you have to push through short, intense periods, especially when trouble-shooting or putting out fires. Other times, you need to slow down the pace and keep it smooth and steady. In my opinion, it's the marathons in business that truly set you up for success.