Since my unemployment I have been trying to run
as much as I can. Running enables me to put my life in perspective. Helps me
decompress. Helps me not get overwhelmed
by the ten loads of laundry I have to fold. Frees me of guilt when I down a few fries. Helps
me prepare for my interviews. Above all else running helps me focus on other
things while I run so I’m not obsessing over the three miles in my three mile
run that I have set out to complete.
Over the last week I realized that being a
runner is not only down-right awesome, but also makes for a great employee.
Really? A great employee? Absolutely! Don’t agree? Well, let me shed some light
on this little known fact (okay, this is my own personal epiphany and not a
tried and true fact.):
Discipline,
Dedication and Determination
It takes discipline to get your butt up at 5:00
a.m. EVERY. DAMN. DAY. Even when you don't have to because well, you are unemployed and your children don't rise till 7:30 a.m.!It takes dedication to stick to a training plan day after day and week after week for an upcoming half marathon.
It takes determination to get to that finish line no matter what is thrown at you. GI issues? A wonky knee? A slip on a pebble? Rain? 20 mph winds? And that’s while you’re training. All that stuff and more happens while you’re actually running the race.
Being disciplined, dedicated and determined to
get to that finish line is essential, who wouldn’t want these traits in an
employee?
Flexibility
Flexible in the literal sense but also
figuratively. Sometimes my run doesn’t go as planned and I need to switch gears
quickly in order to get the job done. Getting the job done. That’s what
resonates with me. My runs are my job. In the work force there are many instances wherein a project plan gets derailed. A strategy may not be working and you need to realign, regroup and get back on task to successfully complete your outlined goals. With racing and in the workforce you have a time frame you need to hit and you need to remain within the project scope and budget you set forth even with all the obstacles that may get in your way.
Who wouldn’t want an employee that can get their
hands dirty, jump in when the going gets tough and can switch gears if need be
with the grace and ease of a gazelle? Okay, I am so not a gazelle, but you get the gist!
Work
Independent or a Team Player
At races there are hundreds, sometimes thousands of
fellow runners pounding the pavement along side of me. We thrive off the
collected energy, the general feel good sense of accomplishment and as a group
we cheer each other to the finish line and hold each other up when we falter.During those 12+ weeks of training for said race I'm running alone during most of my runs. This makes me task oriented and helps me clearly see the things I might miss about my gait or pacing when I run in a group.
However, on some other training days I'll go for a solo run for a few miles and then catch up with my running group to finish it out which demonstrates, clearly I might add, as a runner I can adapt to working independently or in a team environment.
Again, another amazing trait for a great employee. No? YES! Hell Yes!
Endurance
Endurance is a necessity. Run 13.1 miles. Train for 12+ weeks. You need to stick it out and have the energy to do so. It’s the same as working a full eight hours in the office without a break and possibly having to take work home with you. For that you also need ENDURANCE!
See the connection??
So runners make great employees. Which of course means I would make a great employee and would be an asset to any company out there. Which is something I forget when I get caught up in the daily grind of searching, applying and interviewing for my next awesome gig, then I go out for my run and realize, yep I’m a runner, I rock.
