Run, Run, Run...

It is often said slow and steady wins the race and unarguably, this applies to almost all the great success stories: be it story of a chaiwallah becoming prime minister of the biggest democracy in the world, be it story of an average looking man becoming the biggest superstar of Bollywood or be it story of a train ticket examiner becoming greatest hero of a cricket frenzy nation.

It will only be fair to say that they have all run marathons after marathons and grinded themselves through a journey of pain, perseverance and passion. The most interesting aspect of all this is that several attributes related to the ‘journey’ are more or less ‘common’ which extends not only to great individual successes but also to great team success, stupendous brand building and sustainable business models.

I recently ran a half marathon (21 KM). This was my third half marathon and after running it the third time in a row, I realized few things which usually make a difference:

    1. Courage to believe:

All the BIG things begin from zero and when you begin from zero, it takes a might to believe FIRST that goals are not unreal and SECOND that they are not far away. And when the goal is to do something bigger and bigger, it is even harder to believe. However, there is only way to move from zero and the least what is a must is to BELIEVE.

2.    Pace and brace:

When it becomes more and more difficult to believe, it is important to brace yourself with all the hardships. Bracing yourself with all the odds would enforce you to take corrective and sustainable actions towards rewarding path. Lower the pace, brace with odds, correct the method and then again increase the pace. Keep learning!

3.    Show up and don’t give up:

Sometimes, hardships are so profuse that you tend to either look for alternative means or change the goalpost itself. It is only fitting to say that the goal was there for the taking; it just needed that little bit more – few more steps, few more calories and that extra zeal. Don’t give up. Show up and deliver! It is just a milestone!

 4.    Focus on finish line:

When you show up, run that extra mile, goalpost must never be out of sight. It appears closer and closer as you sharpen the focus. Inch by inch, feet by feet and yard by yard! When the mind is clear and heart is pumping, there is no way that focus could even shrink for a moment.

And, finally when you cross the finish line and affix that milestone, it is time to rejoice and raise the bar. Raise the bar and take it to next level. Level after level, year on year! It is time goals thought to be insurmountable initially ought to look tiny. Setting the target, preparing for it the best way and delivering under most resilient situations – these are the main ingredients of all success stories!!!