Questions
What’s one audacious goal you’ve been hesitant to set, and what small step can you take toward it today?
How do you celebrate progress in your personal or professional life, and how might acknowledging small victories motivate you to keep going?
What limiting belief could you reframe with the word “yet” to open new possibilities?
“It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”
— Paul “Bear” Bryant
Chasing Your Personal Best: Lessons from the Road
Just over three years ago, at the age of 47, I started running. There wasn’t a real intention behind it, rather more like Forest Gump, “I was running!” I wasn’t an athlete, and running was not part of my identity. But something about that feeling of clarity and personal achievement drew me to wanting to go further. I wanted to challenge myself, to push beyond my comfort zone, and to prove that age was just a number. Pushing yourself is also a way to build resilience as you are forced to confront yourself or, what my running coach calls, the running devil who wants you to quit. Fast forward to today, in four months my odometer will roll 50. I’ve run nine marathons, logged over 1,300 miles, and just recently achieved a goal that felt impossible: completing a half marathon in under two hours with a time of 1:58:39.
This journey has been about more than running; it’s been about the pursuit of personal excellence. And as a business coach, I see so many parallels between the long, winding road of distance running and the daily hustle of our profession. Whether it’s chasing that next sale, growing your business, or striving to serve your clients better, the lessons I’ve learned on the road can inspire you to reach your own personal best.
Start Where You Are
When I started running, a single mile felt like an eternity. I could’ve easily let self-doubt keep me on the couch, but instead, I embraced where I was. It’s the same in real estate. You might be starting with zero leads or struggling to hit your goals, but acknowledging where you are and committing to consistent action is the first step toward progress. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to start.
Set Outragous Goals
The idea of running a sub-two-hour half marathon seemed laughable at first. But daring to dream big gave me a target to aim for, and breaking it into smaller, manageable steps made it achievable. In our business, your audacious goal might be selling 50 homes or 500 in a year, expanding into a new market, or building a powerhouse team. Whatever it is, write it down, break it down, and keep moving toward it.
Embrace Preparation
Training for a half marathon wasn’t glamorous. It meant early mornings, late nights, and miles in the rain, heat, and cold. Some days I felt unstoppable, and others, I wanted to quit. The same applies to business. The preparation —cold calls, networking events, showings, and negotiations—isn’t always exciting, but it’s where the magic happens. Show up consistently, and the results will follow.
Celebrate Progress, Not Just Results
The sub-two-hour goal took me three years to achieve, but along the way, I celebrated every small victory: finishing my first 5K, running my first marathon, and shaving seconds off my pace. In real business, don’t wait for the “perfect” deal or a record-breaking year to celebrate. Every milestone—a new client, a closed deal, making a new hire, a glowing testimonial—is proof that you’re moving in the right direction.
Believe in the Power of Yet
For years, I told myself, “I’m not fast enough.” But when I reframed it as, “I’m not fast enough yet,” it changed everything. That tiny word added hope and possibility. In business, you might not have the biggest market share or the biggest team, but that doesn’t mean you never will. Keep working, learning, and growing—the “yet” will come.
The Finish Line is Just the Beginning
Crossing the finish line at 1:58:39 was an incredible moment, but it didn’t mark the end of my journey. I’ve already set new goals and am eager to run London and Chicago again this year plus tackle the 7th World Major Sydney. In business, hitting your goals is just one milestone on a much longer journey. There’s always another deal to close, another relationship to build, and another opportunity to seize so remember the journey is what matters more than the destination.
As I look back on the past three years, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: the pursuit of your personal best is about so much more than the numbers. It’s about who you become in the process. It’s about resilience, discipline, and the courage to keep going when the road gets tough and your inner Venom voice is screaming, stop, quit, why are we doing this, and you smile (or cry) and say, “I don’t have to think that,” and you keep going .
So whether you’re chasing a career milestone, a personal record, or simply striving to be the best version of yourself, remember this: you’re capable of more than you think. Lace up, show up, and keep moving forward. Your personal best is out there, waiting for you to claim it. #ALLIN2025
