Dec
9
Running Builds Character – Confidence
Photo Credit: Project 365 #146: 260510 Say It With Confidence from Flickr user Pete (comedy_nose), used under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Confidence is an outstanding attribute to possess. Having an appropriate level of confidence helps you set and achieve goals in whatever you choose to pursue in life. From knowing the right steps to take as a parent, to proposing ambitious new undertakings at work, confidence is a key element required to define and maintain a course of action in the face of inevitable hurdles. It is also confidence that allows us to change course in the face of new information, knowing that it is OK to be wrong or fall short of expectations at times, so long as one is continuously open to new ideas, and accepting that no one person can possibly have all the answers.
Running is almost uniquely positioned among athletic activities to help you build confidence. That is because it has “infinitely scalable ambitions”. In other words, you can set and achieve a goal that is appropriate to your abilities and desires, without having to rely on external benchmarks to do so. Your goal could be to lose weight, or to run a certain number of times per week, or to achieve a given monthly mileage, or to set a new PR at a given distance, or to qualify for (or even win) a major event such as Boston or the Olympics.
The possibilities are infinite because there are so many combinations of distances, time frames, paces, or rankings you can achieve. They are scalable because they can move up or down over time – changing as frequently as weekly or, for more ambitious goals, never. You can set and achieve milestones on the way to your bigger goal.
Obviously one key in building your confidence is setting appropriate goals. These should be stretch goals that require persistence and dedication but are ultimately achievable. They should be set such that even falling short of the goal results in greater gains than if you had set an easier objective. And they should be adjusted when situations warrant – in the face of injury, conflicts in priorities, etc. – part of confidence is knowing when to change goals and to be content in the decision. In fact, developing the ability to cope with setbacks and maintain a positive outlook is one of the best demonstrations of confidence.
Furthermore, running is largely independent – unlike other team activities such as organized sport or working in a corporation, you are almost wholly responsible for your own performance. You cannot ride on the coattails of others, nor can their failure to meet commitments hold you back. Thus, you can truly measure your own performance and take satisfaction (or displeasure) from your accomplishments, knowing you were the sole architect.
Finally, confidence builds over time. As you continue to set and achieve more challenging goals, you develop a systematic capability to plan, execute, and deliver results. The gains are permanent; even if you have to “walk away” for a bit to pursue other activities, the know-how goes with you, and is yours to tap into again when circumstances allow your return to this great sport. And the momentum you get from continuously setting and reaching new goals builds on itself, lifting your spirits and opening new possibilities.
When adding confidence to the stamina you also develop from running, you have a powerful combination that feeds energy, momentum, and ultimately success, time and time again, across the full span of your life. What’s more, you gain the ability to inspire others, a helpful asset to have in seeking to shape your world and the happiness and success of those around you.
Know yourself, set your goal, plan the mission, work that plan, and achieve success – then repeat. The virtuous circle will do wonders for your health, outlook, and performance.
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