Winning the Race of Life

Just as runners exert themselves physically in order to train for a race, individuals must develop endurance to overcome everyday challenges.

A runner begins training long before the race. He or she sets small objectives and builds upon slow, daily progress. Similarly, an enduring person commits to a goal and works steadily toward it.

Keep Hope Alive

Hope is the key. Individuals can endure because they believe present inconvenience will pass, they believe their efforts will yield satisfactory results, and they believe their lives will count for something. Your hope justifies the sacrifices you make in order to achieve your objectives.

Overcome Discouragement

Discouragement will occasionally threaten your progress, making you feel as though you are running in loose sand. You will not always see the finish line, and you might feel incapable of success.

Though you cannot always avoid the grief, exhaustion, or disappointment causing your discouragement, you can overcome your discouragement by pressing forward toward the goal you have set.

Run to Win

When a project fails or obstacles loom large, determine how best to respond. Do not yield to despair or try to erase the problem. Keep trying until you succeed.

Recognize reality, and take responsibility for what you can change. As you work through problems one step at a time, you will strengthen your habits of endurance and increase your confidence for the next challenge.

When the monotony of the task begins to wear on you or tempt you to cut corners, focus on each step, and remember the bigger objectives. If a task is worth doing, it is worth doing right—the first time.

Likewise, when large projects draw to a close, do not let your sense of relief or exhaustion lull you into complacency. Stay focused on your job until you complete it with excellence.

Use each day’s opportunities to build endurance and accomplish the immediate objective.

Five Keys to Building Endurance

1. Know the Goal

Those who visualize their goal can maintain the perspective necessary to surmount obstacles. Whether your difficulty revolves around a short-term goal or a larger concern, maintain hope and stay on course by focusing on your objective and the value of good character.

2. Take One Step at a Time

If a person tries to reach a goal in one step, he or she will quickly become frustrated. Once you envision the big picture, break it down into sequential steps so that you can make daily choices that bring you closer to your goals. Concentrate on the process, and let the results take care of themselves.

3. Find Support

Humans need community. Find colleagues running in the same direction so each person can support others. Consciously surround yourself with people of integrity. Look to those ahead for motivation, and invest your example and experience in those following behind. Seek those who can give you constructive advice and emotional support.

4. Renew Your Energy

Recognize the physical, mental, and emotional energy required to do a job, and take time to meet those needs. Pushing yourself beyond your capacity reduces productivity today and your ability to function optimally tomorrow. Take a break when you need one.

5. Finish Well

As a big project nears completion, the natural tendency is to relax as the finish line comes into view. This temptation threatens the entire effort as details get overlooked, distractions arise, and deadlines creep up suddenly. Apply consistent effort, and plan ahead so that you can work steadily until completion.