After every run I ask myself 4 questions: How was my run affected by:
(1) Strength – How tired is my body?
(2) Endurance – How far could I run – comfortably?
(3) Weather – How did the environment –temperature, wind and precipitation affect performance?
(4) Body chemistry (sugars, diet, hydration)?
Some things we control – for instance diet, sleep, the gear that we wear. Some things we don’t – for instance, weather. All variables are dynamic. They change from run to run. Which is another way of saying that some days are better than others.
Entrepreneurs are always running. And similarly, they live in dynamic environments where some days are better than others. Some variables they control – product direction, time management, desired culture. Some they don’t – customer needs and budgets, availability of financing, and macro-economic and competitive conditions.
As in running – entrepreneurs should recognize that they exist in dynamic environments with limited truisms. Build your strength, endurance. Get needed sleep. Wear the right gear. But don’t obsess about the weather.
Running – like entrepreneurship, is an activity where success depends upon effort, persistence, and self-awareness. Control the variables that you can. Don’t worry about the variables that you cannot.
