I’ve recently started running again having not run since 2009 due to injury, and I confess a certain amount of procrastination and lack of self belief on my part.  But I’m back out there and surprised myself by what I have achieved.

Whilst running in the heavy rain this morning I found myself comparing running to running your business. There are more similarities than you think.

It’s easier when you’re not going it alone

Bit obvious perhaps but I always find I run faster when I am in company, I learn more about technique, method, reasoning and how it should be done by being in a place where like minded people congregate. In my case this is Twitter and the running forum I am a member of.

As we’ve said before, working virtually it’s essential you build that support network around you, not just for your sanity but because by talking to others in your situation you will find the answer to many of your concerns and questions.

Have a target to aim for

Okay, getting up and running in the pouring rain wasn’t my preferred choice for the start to the day’s activities but I have a race next week, and several more over the coming months. These are the targets that I am aiming for, the reason I need to get up and succeed at this.  Set yourself a goal, possibly even a short term and a long term goal, something that will stretch you to achieve it but that isn’t outside your grasp, however, it shouldn’t be anything too easy, you’ve got to have to work for it.

Have a written plan to get you to your target

The other reason I ran in the rain is because I followed my training plan which said I had to do two miles this morning and wasn’t concerned with excuses such as it’s wet out there. Set your plan out on how you are going to achieve your target, what steps do I need to achieve to hit this goal, break it down into manageable chunks and set your self deadlines by which those tasks have to be achieved.  My plan gradually increases my mileage over a 10 week period to hopefully help me achieve a 10k race in an hour rather than the hour plus I currently am at.

Let other people know what you are doing

Most of Twitter knows I have entered races over the coming months, this makes me accountable, I have to run these races because I said I would. Even if you only share your targets within your support group let  someone else know.  This way you are less likely to slack off or quit.

Don’t try and run before you can walk

Don’t jump into something you don’t know without the proper training. Starting running from scratch actually involves walking to start with.  Don’t be afraid to learn the skills you need to grow your business, either by working with another VA or by attending a formal training course if needed.

Winning isn’t everything

Okay I had to put that in as the chances of me winning a race unless I am the only entrant are slim to non existent, but that is no excuse for not giving it your best effort every time.  When I run I don’t expect to win, but I do push myself to do better than the last time I ran, be that an extra bit of mileage or increasing my running pace.  I know each and very time that I gave it my all, that I put forward my best effort and that is how you should approach your business, don’t do it half heartedly, believe in yourself and your ability and do the best job that you can.

Celebrate your successes

We all know that friends and family don’t always get it. You are jumping up and down with joy and they don’t understand why. You may feel over the moon you just ran five miles without stopping for the first time and in the snow at that and all you get in response is an ‘oh’. Kind of pops your bubble of elation doesn’t it.  If you have the support network we talked about earlier they will totally understand what that means to you and will celebrate your success with you.  Trust me, it makes a whole heap of difference.

If you don’t love it, don’t do it

Okay, maybe I am not at the stage where I can say I love running yet, I don’t hate it but not sure if I am friends with it or not yet, however, I do love the buzz I get when I finish the run, that high can last most of the day.  Do you feel like that about your business? If you don’t then seriously think about why you are doing this.  You spend more time working on your own business than you ever would for an employer, and that means you have to love it if it’s going to work, or you will just grow disillusioned and begi to hate it.

So take stock of where you are at with your business, consider the above and whether you need to implement any of it. And should you decide you fancy giving running a bash I have an excellent Cancer Research 10k Training Plan I would be happy to share with you!  You could even join me in one of my half marathon challenges next year!