JUST START!

A few weeks ago I hopped on the treadmill full of nostalgia and ambition. For background, I ran track and cross country in high school and had solid high school speeds. Definitely not D1 scholarship material but a healthy contributor to a high school varsity team. When I was a Junior at Boston College, I ran the Boston Marathon in less than 4 hours – considered a respectable score for a “recreational” athlete. So, I bet you are wondering how my recent foray into running again went, right? One word – pathetic.

I was awful. Really. Really. Bad. Thank God no one was home to accidentally walk in on me and see me gasping for air or hear my leaden feet pounding on the treadmill. My mind said one thing. My body said another. After the brief 20 minute (only) workout, my lungs and muscles were drained but thankful. I was definitely spent but there was some sense of energized refreshment that lingered with me the rest of the day. I am not exactly sure how to describe it, but it was something good – both physically and spiritually. My body was tired but grateful. I think my body appreciated the opportunity to work out and be an athlete once again. On the mental side, I felt great the whole day – focused, invigorated, and optimistic. I was surprised that I felt this good after such an awful performance. So it got me thinking . . .

Was my performance really that bad? Yep, it was. It was terrible. I am so angry with myself that I can’t even run a 10-minute mile. How can I run a marathon at an 8:30 pace one day and run like this today? This is not the best version of myself. I know that and I can do better. At some point later in the day, an interesting thought occurred to me – maybe I should reset expectations or better yet, simply define my current expectation to “Just Start.” What am I trying to achieve? (I can assure you that I never intend to run a marathon again.) Why do I want to run now? Why is a 10 minute mile important to me today? If my expectations on Day 1 had nothing to do with my past, would I rate my performance as awful? Ok, probably I would - but maybe I would laugh at myself a little bit too.

For those of you that have recently started your own business, doesn’t this sound like your early days? When you started your journey, you had grand ideas about how things should unfold and how easily you were going to get there. Surprise, you were met with challenges and hurdles that left you gasping for air and really struggling. The early stages of business journeys are riddled with mistakes, uncertainty and maybe even a few “pathetic” moments. The performance is disappointing but something remarkable happens as well. There is a sense of renewed energy, both physically and spiritually. Once your expectations are recalibrated, you begin to find your footing.

As business owners, we often forget that growth comes from imperfection. Just as I must relearn how to run, we have to adapt and learn in the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship.

Here's a few takeaways to consider:

1. Let go of past achievements: Every business venture is unique and comparing your present situation to previous accomplishments can hinder your progress.

2. Embrace the learning curve: Mistakes are stepping stones to growth. Each misstep is a chance to learn, adapt and get closer to your goals.

3. Define your success: Set realistic expectations that align with your current stage. Keep them small and keeping adding to them. Celebrate every small win – they're milestones on your path.

4. Focus on the journey: Just like my energizing but painful run, every step counts. Cherish the progress you make and the lessons you learn.

5. Just Start: If my goal on that first run had been "Just Start," I'd have rated it a massive success. The same goes for your business journey. Sometimes, the biggest win is simply taking that first step.

So, my fellow entrepreneurs, whether you're just starting out or you're already knee-deep in your venture, remember that it's okay to stumble, to feel lost, and to make mistakes. The key is to embrace imperfection and keep moving forward. Your "pathetic" moments are stepping stones to greatness, and every day is a chance to redefine success. Just start, and you'll find that the journey itself is the most rewarding part.