RUNNING IS YOUR KEY TO SUCCESS
Do you feel stuck in life? Do you feel like you can’t seem to get anywhere in life no matter how hard you try? If so, you’re not alone. Many people feel like this when they don’t know how to break out of their current rut. But what if there was something you could do to help you get ahead in your life? What if there was something that would help you finally break free from the shackles of your current situation? There’s only one logical answer to this- running if you think about it! Yes, running can help you succeed in life in so many different ways.
Many people have been asking me why I continue to run as much as I do. My reasons have included fitness, enjoyment of running, getting PBs, not falling behind the runners I follow on Strava and testing myself to find out how far I can push myself. One other main reason, though, is that running helps create success. There are some precise reasons why I link running with success.
We cannot achieve anything significant without setting clear and powerful goals. Runners are required to set goals all the time. A big goal for runners is to conquer a finish time by training to achieve that predetermined finish time. Goals drive each aspect of marathon training. Whether speed training, long runs, hill training etc., are all goal-driven. Hence, as runners tend to be adept at setting goals, they are more successful in their lives than others.
Evidence in a large amount of study and research conducted on setting goals suggests that those who effectively set goals tend to achieve more. In 1979, Harvard surveyed the MBA graduate students to determine how many had written goals for their lives. To their surprise, only 3 per cent had written goals for their life, 13 per cent had goals in their mind, but they had not committed to them in writing, and the rest had no goals at all. Ten years later, the three per cent who had written their goals were earning ten times the 97 per cent of the class combined. Hence, goal setting is a vital component that comes easy to marathoners as they have to set goals and accomplish them to cross the finish lines at predetermined finish times successfully. When we set goals correctly with realism concerning our performance, they wonderfully aid our performance.
As a runner, you’ll realise that you can achieve any goal you set. You’ll find that you can push further and harder for longer. By setting goals for yourself, you’ll be able to improve your life in so many other ways. For example, if you want to achieve more at work, running can help you reach those goals. Even if you can’t run a marathon, you’ll know that you can accomplish it.
The second reason runners are more successful in their lives is that they take action to achieve what they have planned to achieve. A runner planning to run a half marathon cannot do so unless he buys a training book like the one you are holding in your hands and starts training as prescribed in the book. So a person who has set his mind on the race starts training regularly by taking action daily and eventually achieves his dream. So runners become better equipped to succeed in life because they are doers. They implement plans, don’t procrastinate and get their work done no matter what happens or the circumstances they find themselves in.
Therefore, runners develop an increased sense of self which will contribute to their success when they run. Running will teach them to be more focused and more ambitious in their daily life. In addition to developing your running skills, you’ll learn about other people and situations. You will also learn how to relate to others better. Running also fosters a sense of community and contributes to better social and adjustment skills, which are essential for success in life.
Runners know the power of teamwork. They join a crowd that includes a pace-setter and runs in batches of two to four runners. Having a team behind you allows you to leverage each other’s strengths. Together, you can encourage each other and share the strain. You can also learn from the stronger runners. Running in a team allows you to go a long way. And that’s the definition of success!
Running teaches the aspirant to learn gradually without rushing headlong into something that can cause damage to them and their pursuits. When getting started, it’s important to start running slowly and determine how often you’ll do it. Initially, you’ll likely have to start slow to avoid injury. Then, you’ll need to make a plan with various types of runs. You can do intervals, speed runs, hills, tempo runs, and long runs. You’ll need a mix of these to improve your running. The art of running teaches runners how to learn various aspects of running separately and implement the elements when running a race. One needs to learn multiple skills to live and succeed in life. One must also know how to combine talents in a perfect mix to achieve success in life like runners.
The power of specificity lies in the fact that running is a ritual that engages the senses, mind, and might. Routines can help you overcome habits and restructure your behaviours. These rituals will help you achieve your goals, and you’ll be more likely to stick with them over time. The key to success in life is to train and improve your ability. You’ll need to invest time and effort into running regularly. The benefits of running are not only physical but psychological as well.
Running will teach you to deal with life’s challenges, from work problems to relationship issues. You’ll have the strength and courage to face the difficult situations that life throws at you. It will help you make the right decisions and celebrate your accomplishments. The more you run, the more you’ll become aware of your choices. If you’re serious about running, you will be glad you did.
Do you feel like you’re always chasing after the next shiny object? Do you feel like you’re never able to immerse yourself in life fully and, as a result, feel like a stranger in a strange land? Do you feel like you’re always running to catch up to other people who seem to be living their best lives while you struggle to catch your breath? If your answer to these questions is yes, you’re probably not alone. If you are an marathon aspirant and have been training for one, by now, you must have become aware that running is one of the most common yet effective ways to improve your mental and physical state. An easy 5k can make you feel like you just won the lottery, while a long-distance marathon can leave you questioning your life choices.
The benefits of running are numerous. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, running also provides feel-good vibes. That’s because hormones called endocannabinoids produce a runner’s high. The high is infectious, and you’ll notice many other runners smiling and waving at you. Running will make you a very optimistic and cheerful person. Optimism and a good mood are essential for achieving success in life. Runners, in general, have both of them in abundance, so they have a predisposition towards success in life.
People who run regularly tend to be happier and more optimistic. In fact, in one study, researchers at the University of Missouri found that runners had lower depression rates than non-runners. Although the researchers did not examine the relationship between running and self-esteem, they did find that runners had significantly lower levels of depression than non-runners. A runner’s happiness is likely due to the many psychological benefits of running. Running can improve a person’s mood, boost self-confidence, and make people feel more positive about themselves and their lives.
The benefits of regular running extend beyond just making you happier and more optimistic. They can also help build a strong self-image. In one study from the University of Missouri, researchers found that the confidence that comes from regular running can help you feel more competent. This sense of competence can be helpful in any aspect of your life. It can help you feel more confident when meeting new people, talking to your boss, asking for a pay raise, or even asking for a promotion at work.
Running can also help improve your emotional intelligence. This capacity is your ability to identify and regulate your emotions, vital in almost every aspect of life. Emotional intelligence can help you make better decisions, cope better with stress, and achieve success at work.
Running builds your emotional intelligence because it can help you identify the patterns in your emotions and effectively regulate them. For example, running can help you determine when you are getting fatigued and adjust your pace to prevent injury if you are out of shape. Running can also help you build better relationships with people, including coworkers and family members. You will be able to relate to and communicate better with others when you consistently run and strengthen your emotional intelligence.
Running is an individual sport where you run with other individuals. Runners are up against themselves most of the time, trying to better their personal bests. In short, they are competing against themselves and trying to better themselves. Competing against yourself to better your time takes time, perseverance, and commitment. By embracing such things in running, the runner can also apply them to other areas of his work and personal life to improve his life.
Running can be one of the most rewarding activities you can participate in. Running is a great way to get in shape. It can also help you de-stress and feel more in tune with nature. But, there’s more to it than that. The right pair of shoes and the right amount of motivation can help you run for hours. Many people succeed in life who also happen to be runners. Why is that?
Training for a long-distance event – marathons and longer – requires self-discipline. It needs months of consistency, sacrifice and endeavour, all of which hinge on this one essential factor called self-discipline. During training, runners go through periods of wounds, illness and exhaustion – physically and mentally. They experience gruelling obstacles. From the crazy distances to harsh weather conditions, runners have to endure challenges that toughen them from the inside and prepare them for success in whatever they undertake.
Researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand examined the relationship between running and self-esteem in college student-athletes. They found that, compared to non-athletes, athletes had greater self-esteem and were more confident in their abilities, which got amplified after running. The researchers found that, among runners, self-esteem grew along with running distance. The association between self-esteem and distance running was significantly more robust than the association between self-esteem and non-running activities. The study results suggest that all other variables being equal, long-distance running can increase self-esteem.
Running builds confidence and helps build self-esteem and a strong self-image because people who run regularly spend time fully immersed in the activity and its associated tasks. With every step, runners become more efficient and effective. They develop a sense of mastery, which further contributes to their confidence. As runners become more experienced, they gain a wide range of skills. This constant improvement in ability helps build an even stronger sense of self-worth.
Running may not be the most glamorous pastime, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most rewarding. Research has shown that running can positively impact everything from mood to self-esteem. So what’s the appeal for so many people? It’s no surprise that so many people turn to running for inspiration. After all, running is a very natural activity for almost everyone. Regardless of your fitness level or the distance you plan to run. You’re bound to experience the same feelings and benefits from running. Running can positively impact your mental health, from getting rid of negative thoughts to overcoming obstacles and staying motivated.
Because running is a powerful way to increase your confidence and self-esteem and keep it that way, researchers have found that running can help people with low self-esteem, depression, and stress. Not only that, but runners tend to have better mental health than non-runners. Reducing anxiety, stress, and depression and increasing happiness and positive feelings are just some benefits running brings. One reason is that running can help you build confidence, which is essential in many aspects of life.
Running teaches discipline and an attitude of never giving up. Running has taught me lessons of not giving up even when the going gets tough and has helped me build consistency and discipline in my life. The more disciplined you become in the running, the more you will improve your performance. We can apply the same to your business. You can create better efficiency and productivity with additional discipline in your business practices. Also, running enables you to make your confidence go through the roof by helping you achieve something that once may have seemed impossible.
Running is an individual sport where you run with other individuals. Runners are up against themselves most of the time, trying to better their personal bests. In short, they are competing against themselves and trying to better themselves. Competing against yourself to better your time takes time, perseverance, and commitment. By embracing such things in running, the runner can also apply them to other areas of his work and personal life to improve his life.
Running may seem simple? Just put one foot in front of the other, and you’re good to go. But, there’s more to this simple sport than meets the eye. Running is a sport that can help you achieve your goals and aspirations in life. There’s a reason why runners are so successful in life. They know how to manage their time, stay focused, and push themselves to achieve their goals. There’s a lot of psychology behind why runners succeed in life, and it’s essential to understand. Before you get all excited and start running every day, there is one caveat. If you’re going to start running, you should start with a plan or a program like the one outlined in this book and adhere to it. Consistency is the key to success in running and success in life. So please start running and start reaping the success that accrues in life from the habit of running.
Dr. K. Jayanth Murali is based at Chennai, India. One fine day, he decided to substitute smoking with running. Now an avid runner, he has never looked back since then. He has done a bunch of marathons and half marathons over the years. When he is not working, he is usually running or helping people discover the endorphins of endurance.
