Running a company is not a marathon. It's not even a sprint. It's more like a Spartan Race and if you don't know what that is, it's an intense obstacle course races ranging from 3 miles plus plus.
Let me explain...
When you're building a company, you can't just put your head down and pound the pavement for 26 miles like a marathon. You have to navigate unexpected challenges and tests of skill, strength, and endurance around every turn.
One minute, you're scrambling up a rope or climbing over a giant wall. The next, you're crawling under barbed wire through mud or throwing a spear at a target. At every obstacle, you have to tap into your power, agility, mental toughness and heart to make it through.
Just like in a Spartan race, you never know what you'll encounter next as a leader. How do you handle this?
Competitors, changing market conditions, cash flow issues, hiring challenges, product issues. There's always another wall to scale or pit of fire to jump through.
But that's where the glory lies - in the overcoming. In finding creative solutions, unearthing new reserves of determination and partnering with your team to help each other make it across the finish line. The terrain may be treacherous at times, but the reward of victory is sweet. How do you help your team with the training muscles to overcome such obstacles?
So keep your focus. Commit to disciplined training, just as Spartan warriors once did.
Build your endurance, skill and grit through practice. Support those running the course alongside you. And no matter how grueling it gets, keep your eyes fixed on the peaks you're headed towards, not the obstacles you're facing.
Stay nimble and keep innovating. Be ready to get scraped up and dirty along the way - it's part of the ride. And dig deep for that next burst of energy when you need it most.
If you adopt the heart, mindset and agility of a Spartan racer, you can overcome any challenge on your path. The obstacles along the way will only make you and your team stronger and more prepared for future tests of will and skill. Keep charging ahead.
What kind of race are you running with your company? What kind of company are you building? How do you empower your team and prepare them for the unexpected obstacles?