How Building a Business Is Like a Trail Run
The other day it hit me, trail running is a lot like building a business. We went for a trail run while we were camping near Mt. Rushmore and when we got to the top - where this photo was taken - this is what came to me.
The first part, of building a business and running a trail in the mountains - the up - is slow going, uphill. It takes focus, determination, putting one foot in front of the other.
The tendency is to keep your head down and grind but if you take a minute, decide to enjoy the 'up,' look up and look around, you see the beauty all around. You notice the wildflowers blooming, see the snow-covered peaks in the distance and the blue sky and puffy white clouds above. You're going slow enough to see the little forest creatures scurrying around and hear the birds.
You get to choose...it can be a painful grind, or it can be magical and beautiful...it's the same 'up' either way.
Once you get to the top - my favorite part - which is not the end goal, but that place in business and in a trail run where the intense 'up' is over, you experience the rewards of your hard work. You take in the view and you can see 360 degrees for miles and miles. You know exactly where you are, where your business is and where you're headed. At the top of the trail my heart swells, I overflow with gratitude, love, and the beauty of this place makes it hard to catch my breath.
Be sure to pause, celebrate, take pictures! We made it to the top and it feels great!
And almost as good as making it to the top is the run down, fast, momentum takes us, clients come easier, faster, referrals pour in.
It’s easier to let the momentum carry me than to try and fight it to slow down; so I surrender and just enjoy the speed, letting my body and mind navigate in unison, no over thinking, just flying, my feet almost floating, I’m not even sure I’m touching the ground.
In this stage of the run I'm relaxed but focused, watching the terrain at my feet to adjust and move. In business, once we've established our clear path it takes focus and commitment to keep our momentum going.
Each stage of the run has its own risks and rewards but it’s all beautiful, hard, and rewarding. Just like building a business... so enjoy the journey, relax, celebrate the highs and learn from the lows and trust that if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and never give up, you WILL make it to the finish line, to the goal.
Enjoy friends,
:)Melissa
P.S. You can improve your results, speed, and enjoyment - whether running a trail or building a business - by having a great coach by your side. As a business and marketing coach, I can offer you clarity on the value you offer and what you're actually selling, create a compelling, irresistible offer and scale your efforts simply, creating more money with less hustle. If you'd like to learn how this process can work for you, join me for my June LIVE Training on Zoom, 6/16 at 12:30p MT / 2:30p ET. Register and get all the info here!
