Are you successful because you are crushing the competition?
Or because you are doing something really hard and not giving up?
This weekend I ran a 5k with a few friends.
We all finished at different times.
We all got medals and bananas at the finish line.
Here's why I love these races:
The person that finished first ran 3.1 miles in
19 minutes and 5 seconds.
The last person to finish crossed the line after
one hour and thirty five minutes.
I am inspired by both of them!
6 minute miles? WHOA: I'm inspired by what is possible.
(and therefore... what crazy thing is possible for me?)
90 minutes to walk 3 miles? WOW: I'm inspired because you showed up and you didn't quit.
(and therefore, what challenge seems too hard but is actually possible if I just keep going long enough?)
I heard people talk about beating their personal records for time.
I also heard people say "I never knew I could walk that far."
One girl ran in high-heeled boots!
We criticize participation trophies and the
"everyone gets a prize" mentality.
But, really....
I like medals (and bananas).
And... showing up and finishing is
worthy of a celebration!
You can measure success by going a longer distance than you normally do; or by pushing your pace a bit faster or by doing something for the FIRST time!
Or, you can have a bad day and cramp up and need to walk.
Or trip and fall on the course.
Or, push through a migraine or a thunderstorm.
You can measure success by how you overcame adversity and pushed through something that felt impossible.
Either way, you deserve a medal.
Success is not measured by the time on the scoreboard -
It's the process that you go through.
It's the story that you tell yourself along the way.
And it all needs to be celebrated.
Whatever you're going through right now -
celebrate it.
Crushing it? AWESOME. Keep Going!
Does the finish line feel miles away? YEP. Keep going!
High-fives and medals for showing up and doing you when things are easy AND especially when things feel hard.
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