There is a major difference between a mile marker and a finish line.
Some people recognize mile markers for what they are, great chances to identify progress, celebrate what has been done and know where you are in the race. Unfortunately others see mile markers as finish lines. As they pass a marker, they slow down and stop working as hard, they think they have lost, or worse that they have won. But at a mile marker there is sill so much in race left to run.
We have to be able to define a mile marker and tell the difference between a mile marker and the finish line. Finish lines are the ultimate completion. At the finish line is the time keeper, a ribbon to run through, a party, and a lot of chances to replenish what we have lost in the race. Don’t confuse a mile marker water break for a finish line party.
When we start the race we should know where the finish line is, what is the win and what is the expectations. As this becomes defined and we pass mile markers we will know how to regulate our speed, how much ground we need to make up, how to pace ourself and our teams, and what opportunities are still ahead. Mile markers allow us to quantify a momentum. Mile markers are awesome, they are IMPORTANT, but they are not finish line.
One of the saddest things in life is seeing someone doing a great job running the race and then passing a mile marker and thinking the race is over. Many a great racer has left potential, opportunity, the ability to make history, on the track of life because they slowed when when they pass a mile marker thinking their race is over.
So lets run and lets keep running. Never quit, do not settle, remember what the finish line looks like. You have a group of people waiting there to cheer you on. Don’t allow the good or the bad mile markers in life allow you to stop when there finish line has a party waiting on the other side.
