Run Your Own Race

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Tracy Baranauskas, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

I don’t know what it is about a little snail slowly making its way across the path in the park where I walk, but when I run across one, I just have to stop and admire it.

I met a little snail last week and spent some time in awe of his tenacity. I cheered him on as he crept across the path, steadfast and determined to make it to the other side.

My fascination, for sure, was about the snail’s unstoppable resolve to work at its mission, no matter how long it took, until it reached its goal.

But it captivated me for another reason too. As I watched in amazement, I imagined what a “day in the life” of a snail might be like.

From my perspective, it doesn’t look like a day’s journey covers much ground at all. But from the snail’s point of view, I’m sure getting across that path takes a lot of effort and must feel like quite an accomplishment once on the other side.

And then I think about the bald eagle who I sometimes see on my walks gazing down on me in a similar way as she soars across the horizon. She’s often covering so much of an area that I lose sight of her, or she ascends straight up to such incredible heights that she is just a tiny speck in the clouds.

I imagine, from her perspective, my morning trek doesn’t look like much of a journey at all. She covers the same distance in a millisecond, with little effort as she gracefully glides in the wind.

Perhaps she gives me the same respect that I give the snail though, appreciating my efforts, however small they seem in contrast to hers.

I realize this may sound a bit like a Disney tale about now, and you might be wondering why I am sharing it with you today?

Well, stay with me here because these observations brought up a couple of thoughts for me – reminders that you might find helpful…

1. Persistence is critical for accomplishing any goal. No matter how slow your progress may feel, if you stick with it, you’ll reach your destination.

2. Run your own race. If like so many women, you’ve spent much of your life deciding what you will do or judging what you “should” do based on what everyone else around you is doing, then isn’t it time to follow your own path? Your dreams were put into your heart for a reason and only you can access them. Let my little snail friend’s story remind you to keep moving forward towards your aspirations and move at your own pace. Avoid the comparison trap. It will just slow you down, send you on a detour, or stall you out completely.

3. Perspective is everything, especially when deciding to tackle a big, scary goal. If you look back on some of the big scary goals you’ve accomplished in your lifetime, you might not think of them as “big and scary” anymore. You may have even lost sight of how terrified you once were, like when you first learned to drive or landed your first “real” job. Chances are you had some trepidation or full-blown fear going on at the time, but now, easy breezy, right? When treading outside your comfort zone, try to keep an eagle’s broad perspective, and look at the big picture. Remind yourself there’s nothing serious going on here. You’ve got this one and only life, and you’re going to make the best of it!

It makes me smile to consider what that little snail would think if he knew I put his story in my article this morning and gave him props for his grit and determination.

My guess is he would think nothing of it at all because he would be laser focused on his goal. He might look at me side-angle for just a quick second though and murmur, “You do you, okay?”

Yep, I’m sure that’s how it would go down.

And so, I’m passing it forward to you, my friend.

Run your own race.

Stick with it.