Cross the Finish Line on Your Own Time
When I was in the 8th grade, I joined Track & Field. As a middle schooler, everyone got an opportunity to be on the team so trying out wasn’t an issue. In other words, you didn’t have to be a good athlete or really even one at all.
After our first week of practice, it was time for the season’s kick-off track meet. I was signed up to run the 400m dash while my family and new track friends cheered me on. Easy enough, right?
As I sat on the starting block, my heart pounded out of my chest while I waited for the gun to sound. Thoughts filled my mind on the different things that could go wrong. What if my shoe unties? These lanes are narrow, don’t step on the lines. Do you really think you’re fast enough to win? Just run until someone crosses the finish line — then you can walk. For those of you curious about the last statement, let me clear things up. To my naivety, I thought as soon as the first placer finished, the race was over. In my mind this meant you could walk the rest of the way because you lost. That was what I did with approximately 50 meters left to go. And that was also not the case.
After talking with my coaches I learned that the sport wasn’t necessarily about beating others, but more about racing against yourself to beat your last time. At an age where “acting cool” was everything, I was humiliated.
I quit one week later.
We all tackle life’s obstacles at different paces. Some people have a clear vision on what it is they want to do with the rest of their life and speed towards that goal. Others get tripped up on a shoelace in the beginning before standing back up and moving on. And then there is a group like I used to be — those who seem to know the direction they want their journey to take from early on but slow down their pace at the slightest comparison to the person ahead of them.
It is okay to know what you want. It is okay to trip before you figure out what you want. And it is also okay to finish the race at your own pace.
Walking during the race wasn’t the embarrassing part — at least I finished. What is most embarrassing was that I quit the sport all together without seeing it through and without thinking about the progress I could have made. I gave up on myself because of my comparison to others.
Had I continued with the sport, would I have ever won a race? Honestly with my speed, probably not. BUT I could have beaten my own time and progressed at my own pace.
Comparisons can be a death trap for growth. Run when you want to, walk when you need to and keep your eye on that finish line. Whatever you do, don’t let comparisons lead you to quit on yourself. Strive for progress. Avoid perfection. You will get to where you need to be eventually.
