I worked in the corporate world several years before I started running marathons. I was a marathon runner before I started my business. Marathons prepared me for being an entrepreneur better than my corporate job did. Marathons taught me everything about developing the strong personal leadership necessary to run a business. Doing something physically demanding and challenging caused me to meet my true self. I discovered that when I demanded so much of myself physically, it produced an honesty so pure it was startling.

What marathons taught me about personal leadership and starting a business.

1. Putting in the work. Strong personal leaders put in the work necessary to accomplish their goals. When I was training, running up to 40+ miles a week wasn’t optional. It was necessary to cross the finish line on race day. Working long hours and constantly trying new ideas wasn’t optional when starting my business and it isn’t optional now. To be successful, you have to put in the work.

2. The value of preparing. Strong personal leaders prepare to achieve the outcome they want. When I needed to do a 20 mile training run, I knew I needed to rely on more than my physical prowess. I had to start preparing months in advance to ensure that I would finish. As a new business owner, I knew I wasn’t going to automatically be handed business. Before I present my services to a company or a team for consideration, I prepare and prepare. And then after that, I prepare some more. To be successful, be honest with yourself and prepare… a lot.

3. Going after it again. Strong personal leaders get back up and go again, and again, and again. My first attempt at training for a marathon resulted in a fractured foot and being sidelined for a few months. That was humbling. But it wasn’t defeating. After I healed, I went back after it again and finished what I started. As a business owner, I’m constantly thinking of new ideas, products and services to grow the business and serve my clients. When something doesn’t work, I try something else. I’m always learning as I go. To be successful don’t consider failure as an option, ever.

Marathons, personal leadership and running a business – they all require vision, stamina, fortitude, and commitment. There comes a point in every challenge, whether physical, personal or professional, that you have to decide if you’re going to give in and give up or if you’re going to dig in and dig deep. Either decision is defining every time you make it.

It’s your choice. Choose wisely.

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