6 Communication Skills Strategies to Help Get You Over The Long Haul
Posted on June 14, 2011 by Baxter Dickson
I participated in an event not too long ago that I was, frankly, surprised to be involved in. I have been a fitness runner for a few years and last winter my sister-in-law, also a fitness runner, suggested we set a goal for ourselves in order to ratchet up our effort.
The Goal…the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon in May of 2011! Now, in my mind, this was analogous to sitting in the Wright Brothers airplane and planning next summer’s vacation landing on the Moon! Seriously! A marathon? I did, however, accept the challenge and so we started to train.
Through the cold and overcast waning days of a Cleveland winter and the sucker-punch changeability of a Lake Erie spring, we started…mile by mile. And when the day of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon rolled around, we felt nervous, very nervous, but ready as we could be. Maybe we’d have to walk part of it, but we were going to give it everything we had.
And so, in May on a chilly, rainy day, the starter’s gun sounded and feet started pounding the pavement. One mile, two miles, doing fine. Five miles, ten miles, halfway there. Fifteen, nineteen, twenty-two, still okay.
Then came the wall. At 24 miles, wham. Not gonna make it. Maybe walk awhile…but run ten more yards first. Now ten more. Now thirty more.
Well, you’ve probably guessed how the story turns out. That first-time marathoner managed to put one foot in front of the other and made the last 2.2 miles, never having to walk after all.
Considering all of my anxiety and self-doubt I can’t, quite frankly, remember the last time I felt that exhilarated. More than that, I felt empowered.
This experience is a wonderful reminder of the things we can do if we push ourselves. Six months ago, I didn’t know I could accomplish something like this. 2.2 miles from the end of the race, I still wasn’t sure. Now I’m on the lookout for other kinds of challenges. There is more in me to give, to stretch, and to try.
Are you feeling stalled in your career? Settling into a comfortable place? Think it’s too late for that dream promotion or new responsibility? Think again. We’re built for challenge. And instead of wearing us down, it builds us up. Makes us strong. And the adrenalin and endorphins of accomplishment make us hungry for more.
Here are a few runners’ tips I learned that also apply to the marathon that’s a career.
Set a specific and substantial goal
If I’d decided to “jog a little to get in shape” I never would have achieved a marathon. It was the decision to do something big and bold that made the difference. In the workplace, that process requires seriously pursuing a new skill. Maybe it’s time for a course in communication skills or executive presence to take your career to the next level. VoicePro can help with that.
Put one foot in front of the other
There will be times you’re frustrated and tired. Just as a runner gets sore using muscles she forgot she had, you’ll be using brain “muscle” to get where you want to go. Keep it up – things get better.
Run your own race
They’re younger, they’re older, they’re passing you, you’re passing them. That doesn’t matter. Focus on you.
Let the crowd cheer you on
Good folks lined the streets for the Cleveland marathon, cheering on the 13,000 runners. Share your plans and your success with others who will help keep you going.
Enjoy it. Yes, really
I know that sounds crazy, but remember to focus on what you’re experiencing and learning, not on the difficulty. When I thought about my burning legs, I wanted to give up. When I concentrated on how far I’d come, I went on.
Have a running buddy
Training and running with my sister-in-law kept us both energized. In fact, we crossed the finish line at the same moment. Consider registering for a course with a friend.
Here’s the simple truth. You are just months away from accomplishing something amazing. Let me sound the starting gun for you. On your mark. Get set. Go.
Image by Eleftheria G
