The only thing that is keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself.
– Anthony Robbins
Last Sunday I took part in my bi-annual half marathon, and as I ran I kept my mind busy observing the other runners and contemplating a few lessons from events like these that serve as a valuable reminder.
Everyone has a story
Apart from the professionals who were sprinting around the 21Ks like gazelles across an African plain, the rest of us were competing against ourselves and our stories. Each one of the thousands of runners had their own story – and many of those stories were significant ones, demonstrated through their visible struggle. There would have been those running against an injury or an illness, those who were running for the first time and perhaps never believed it was possible, those who were running for friends or family who couldn’t run themselves, those who were running for people they’d never met but wanted to make a difference. Whatever the story, the meaning was strong enough to get them running.
What story are you or those around you in your life struggling with? How many could be fighting significant problems in their life outside of work, but doing a great job of hiding it? How many are choosing self-sabotaging stories that are creating an impossible internal battle? Next time you interact with someone, take a moment to remind yourself that they may be reflecting not themselves, but a particular story they are living with.
Everyone hurts at different stages
We all had different paces, and different thresholds of pain that we experienced at different points. It can be easy to presume everyone progresses at the same pace, however we need to allow for each individual to develop in their own unique way, and be sufficiently aware so that we can help them when they need it most.
If you don’t put in the preparation, it will hurt more
I did nowhere near as much training as I usually do, and I certainly didn’t enjoy the experience as much as normal! Consistent progress and constant positive habits really do pay off.
It is never too early and it is never too late
It is always an impressive sight to see teenagers and octogenarians participating in the same event.
It’s all relative
For those of us who crossed the finish line, it was a great achievement. Yet on the same day, there were 1000 other runners crossing the finish line after 100Ks of an Ultra Marathon. Everyone would have been pushed to their limits in both races. Whatever position someone is in in life or work, they still have their own stories and their own struggles, just like everyone else.