The Race

You’re falling behind, they said. But when I caught up, I realized that I didn’t even want what I was running after.

The race really started in high school. Run, run, run, get accepted, they said. And when you do, college is just the beginning. Only a decent GPA, a degree and the right letters of recommendation will get you into that grad school or job that comes next. And yes, those are mainly your options: grad school or job. 

Now that you have a job or are done with grad school, you’re starting from the bottom again. Work your way up or become irrelevant, they said. Keep running, keep getting promoted, and also start thinking about your bigger financial goals because you’re probably already behind. Where are you in comparison to your friends? If they’re ahead, then now you’re really behind. 

Life is a race, they said. Here are the directions, just keep going.

The Do’s

• Chase the money, they said. But when I didn’t, I had time to think about what really matters to me. 

• Maintain the status quo, they said. But when I didn’t, I got to own my choices.  

• Focus on what’s around you, they said. But when I didn’t, I discovered what was within me that I had to offer. 

The Don’ts

• Don’t slow down, they said. But when I did, I actually lived in the present.

• Failure is not an option, they said. But when I did, it ultimately made me better. 

• Show no weakness, they said. But when I did, I faced the real things that were holding me back.

You’re falling behind, they said. But when I caught up, I realized that I didn’t even want what I was running after.

And that’s when it hit me: I’m running a different race. It has different rules, values and expectations. It might not follow what they told me. It might not get me where they were pushing me to go. 

But it’s my own race that is true to who I am yet bigger than myself. And there’s no other route that I’d rather run.

Interested in running your own race? Let’s chat!