I’ll keep running

http://www.onemoremile.net
http://www.onemoremile.net

Like the One More Mile photo above, I wasn’t at Boston. I’ll probably never qualify for Boston. I didn’t even get to run yesterday. But several of my loved ones were there, some as runners but more as spectators supporting runners. And even if I had no personal connection to the horrific events, I’d still feel like my family was attacked.

That’s the thing about runners. Running might be an individual sport, but all runners are a team. We might be fiercely competitive on the course, but as soon as each of us cross the finish line, we turn around and cheer for the rest. We walk next to those with cramped muscles. Carry injured strangers and friends to help even after running a race ourselves.

I know a few dedicated runner friends who’ve said they just can’t imagine lacing up their racing flats and starting another race. And my heart breaks for them. I also won’t lie, the thought of hanging up my shoes crossed my mind. I’m scheduled to run a half marathon on May 25 and there is a bit more fear and panic than was 24 hours ago. But I know for me to feel in control and like I’m doing something I have to run.

I have to run for friends and family and more importantly for myself. I can’t let fear get in the way of the finish line.

Running Shoes
Running Shoes

Fear

 

Image from: personalbrandingblog.com

There’s been a lot of talk about fear at this year’s South by Southwest conference. All the conversations seem to divide into two categories: business decisions based on fear and fear holding you back from making decisions.

 

As the speakers at Bordering Incest: Turning Your Company into a Family pointed out and several people tweeted, “Every decision is made in love or fear. Decisions make in fear are bad for business.” (Disclaimer: I didn’t attend this session in person. I followed the #borderingincestsxsw. Great takeaways.) Most often fear is based in lack of knowledge or understanding. Take time to research the issue before jumping to conclusions. Empower your co-workers and team members to take a few minutes, step back and think or research before coming to a conclusion. Obviously this won’t work in all environments or for all projects, but just recognizing you’re making a decision based on fear can lead to better decisions.

Very brilliant people have often recited the mantra that not making a decision IS making a decision. We all live in a bubble of perfectionism. We want our work like and our projects and our life to be perfect. The sooner we all accept that perfectionism keeps us from achieving near perfect lives, the better.