by Craig Siiro
When I turned 40, I began reflecting on my life—what I had accomplished and what I hadn’t.
Well, I call it reflection. Others might call it a mid-life crisis.
But that’s not important. What is important is that as a result of this process, I decided I needed to run a marathon.
No, I wasn’t really a runner. And, no, I really had no idea how to go about accomplishing it.
Oddly enough, in the process of pursuing my mid-life cris—er—bucket list item, I learned that training for and running a marathon has a lot in common with running an effective business.
For example:
You need a plan
Because my longest prior run was only about one or two miles, I needed a plan for getting to that magical 26.2-mile milestone. My 18-week plan spelled out the right mix of weekly miles and rest to ensure I would be ready on race day.
Business owners also need plans that address the many questions they need to answer:
- Who are our customers?
- What can we charge?
- How much does it cost to produce our product or service?
- What overhead do I need?
- How much capital equipment do I need?
- How much working capital is necessary?
- How am I going to finance all of this?
And just as I consulted a marathon plan from a running expert, don’t be afraid to seek business help from an experienced entrepreneurial resource—someone who’s been in your shoes.
You must be disciplined
Having a plan is one thing. Executing it is something else. My marathon training resolve was tested by rain, snow, work and kids activities (not to mention the “Why am I doing this, again?” self-doubt). But, with only a few exceptions, I did persevere and completed my training.
Once you have a plan for your business, that same discipline is imperative. We all know that some days, it’s difficult to stay the course. Everything from challenging customers and employee issues to a lack of immediate results challenge your resolve.
Planning for changes and challenges can help. And when the unexpected occurs, be sure to ask yourself:
- Why am I making this change?
- What’s causing the change?
- Is it short-term or long-term change in course?
- What are my expectations for the change?
Don’t forget to enjoy the ride
When race day came, I was ready to run the marathon. I had successfully completed my training and, although I was nervous, I was confident I could accomplish my goal.
It was a great day with perfect weather. I met some wonderful, uplifting people during the race. We were motivated and offered encouragement to each other throughout the grueling 26.2 miles.
It’s hard to describe the feeling of crossing the finish line and accomplishing my goal, but it made every bit of my training worthwhile. I’m so glad I did it.
The same can be true for you—whether you’re running a marathon or your own business.
Make a plan. Seek help from trusted sources. Be disciplined. Plan for—and even welcome—the challenges that will certainly arise.
And, most importantly, enjoy every minute of what will certainly be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
For 30 years, Craig Siiro has served companies of all shapes and sizes as the founder of Integrated Consulting Services. As someone who is passionately devoted to helping entrepreneurs succeed, he is part of Sage’s trusted pool of entrepreneurial resources and is frequently referred to the firm’s clients.