My Red Running Shoes

They may not have been red ruby slippers, but they were my red running shoes, and to me they had every bit of magical power. Power to help me sprint. Power to help me compete. Power to help me see that even though I wasn’t the fastest runner, my best was the bar.

What does track, or my red running shoes, have to do with business? Well, just about everything. And this became even more clear the past several weeks as I sat as a spectator cheering on my high-schooler as he competed in the 100M and 200M. To be sure, he was doing this to be a better football player. For me, it was a walk down memory lane — to a time when I was running under the guidance of my dad, a track coach. Truth be told, I didn’t have a passion for running. I also didn’t have an option. Where coaching took him those spring and summer months we went. But he always told me track would be the sport to condition me for life — physically & mentally.

So, as I sat in the stands, meet after meet, I couldn’t help but re-live what track was all about. And its relevance to business. Emotions got me several times as I watched teammates loudly cheer from the sidelines for that lone runner, while hugging their opponents at the finish line. Not because they placed 1, 2 or 3 but because they broke new PRs despite placing 4, 5, or 6. At that moment, it was about individual performance and self-improvement, regardless of placement. Like track, in business it’s setting personal goals and competing against yourself that make you and the team perform better.

And looking back at this old photo of me in my red running shoes, I’m reminded that even though I wasn’t the fastest, the smile on my face said I was having fun, nonetheless. And breaking personal records. Like in business.

Note: faces blurred for privacy - even though this pic is from approx. 1978 when I was sporting my version of the trendy Dorothy Hamill haircut. :-)

#performance #selfdevelopment #business #teammates