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[Keep Going] 13.1 Miles of Business Tips & Advice…

Have you ever felt like you were on the verge of a business breakthrough… and it just seems to be taking forever..?

That’s a bit how the last few months have felt to me. If you read my last blog post about saying “no” you know what I think about the importance of creating space for your business to grow and evolve. And, I’ve felt like I’ve been waiting for the big breakthrough…

So, instead of continuing to wait for it, I decided to do something to shake things up energetically for me. Getting myself out of my comfort zone always helps me think bigger and differently. I truly believe most people don’t get out of their comfort zone enough… If you want to be an entrepreneur, you’d probably better get used to it!

On Thursday morning, I decided to run the Alamo 13.1 half-marathon! I hadn’t been properly training, but if there’s one thing I know about myself and that entrepreneurship has training me to be – it’s strong-willed.

Here is my top advice for starting and growing your business. I wrote this for you in my head between miles 7 and 13.

You will experience pain and discomfort.

From the first 5 minutes until around mile 3, I started having really bad cramps on my left side. If you’ve run before, you’ll know they say to raise your arm over your head and keep running. I slowed down and ran for several miles with my arm over my head. Yes, it felt silly and painful…

alamo half marathon

That’s how you’ll feel sometimes when you begin your business. You’ll feel pain when things didn’t work out the way you’d planned the first, second or third time.

Some of the people you’ll talk to about your new dream, how you’re “going for it” will roll their eyes or say “Be careful! You could get really hurt trying that!” And, these are sometimes the people you most care about. You may feel silly explaining your dreams to people who will never understand what it means to have the freedom of being your own boss.

Being a business owner is a lot more than just freedom though. It comes with a lot of responsibility and requires great willpower.

You cannot allow yourself to get discouraged for too long.

Cultivating resiliency in yourself and your attitude is a MUST. Entrepreneurship will involve failure and lots of it, IF you want to be successful. Reframing failure and getting comfortable with it is a very good idea. Testing, tweaking and constant improvement and evolution.

Sometimes I hear new business owners who get discouraged when 1 thing doesn’t work… Honey, you might have to try 100.

In the middle of the 1/2 marathon, it got extremely windy and the temperature dropped. I was running into a strong headwind for several miles. There were patches of construction where people had to go single file. You couldn’t go any faster for some stretches, even if you wanted to.

Did the thought ever cross my head to give up and call a friend to pick me up…? yes.

But, I knew what it would feel like to cross the finish line. To reach the goal. And that’s what I focused on.

That’s what you’ve got to keep front and center for yourself in your business – all the time. How will it feel to you to accomplish your business dreams? Feel those feelings, and then keep doing the work.

Celebrate the smaller goals you’ve achieved along the way.

Most of us don’t celebrate the milestones along our entrepreneurial journey. This is a big mistake.

You made your first sale ever? It’s time to jump up and down for joy! It’s time to do a happy dance! It’s time to look at and celebrate what you did right.

You made 18 sales in your big launch, instead of the 121 you’d planned for? Woohooo! 18 amazing new clients for you to serve with abandon!

It’s not time to say “geez, look at her, she’s doing a lot better than I am. All I have is one measly sale under my belt.” or “Why didn’t I sell 103 more?”

Comparison will kill your drive, your dreams and make the journey a whole lot yuckier.

There were a lot of runners that were faster than I was on Sunday. I didn’t care, it was on my own personal journey I was there for. In fact, I didn’t really care what other people thought of me at all… When I passed each mile marker getting close to the 13.1 goal, I did a little fist pump and a round of air drums to celebrate and help myself enjoy it a little more.

As I passed the finish line (2 hours: 38 minutes: 33 seconds), I was so grateful, re-inspired and re-energized. The breakthroughs have been coming fast and furious since then.Found the new team member I’d been looking for and an amazing designer who’s bringing my new “look” to life soon.

Sometimes, it takes getting really uncomfortable to have your breakthroughs!

Sending you love and hugs so you decide to get uncomfortable following your dreams,

 Maritza

22 Comments

  1. Maritza Parra on March 25, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    I hope this post inspires you to get uncomfortable to follow your dreams… if so, let me know here in the comments 2 ways you’re willing to get uncomfortable and follow your entrepreneurial dreams!

  2. Dean Patino on March 25, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Congratulations on your fantastic accomplishment Maritza! Such a great way to lead by example; thank you for sharing your thoughts and taking us on your journey of determination plus perseverance. It’s no wonder why you continue to accomplish all you seek in life and business as well as be an inspiration to all you know personally and professionally.

    • Maritza Parra on March 25, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      Dean, thank you! It really means a lot, especially coming from someone I know and respect who is SUPER determined and always finds a way to get it done, no matter what. I appreciate you!

  3. Sara on March 25, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    Thank you for sharing this inspirational message. I have had to learn patience with what my future holds for me since deciding to be an entrepreneur. Someone once told me that no matter how I picture what my business will look like, it will be different. I love how you are tapping into your own intuition and believing in yourself, great encouragement!

    • Maritza Parra on March 25, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Sara, whoever gave you that advice is right! 😀 And, it can be a whole lot better than you even imagined… especially when you look back and see how much you’ve grown and inspired other people with your example. Keep me posted on what happens in your business journey!

  4. Paul Colaianni on March 25, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    I love the idea of celebrating along the way. It’s almost like each mile is a victory, at least in the analogy of running. I think getting in a single line to keep the pace with the rest would be the hardest part! But I guess that’s part of the challenge too.

    Inspiring article. Thank you!

    • Maritza Parra on March 25, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Paul, I think most everyone is so in “comparison-mode” that celebration falls by the wayside. When I ran a whole marathon, towards the end, I had to think of each and every single baby step as a victory for me! 😉

  5. kate erickson on March 25, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    Maritza, I love it! Congrats on the half marathon, first off. 🙂 Second, these are such great tips – love your insight about not letting yourself get discouraged for too long. Thank you for this!

    • Maritza Parra on March 27, 2014 at 10:54 am

      Thanks so much, Kate! The ability to cultivate resiliency is so KEY and somehow, we aren’t trained to do this in life and in business… I know it’s something I want to help my community with for sure!

  6. Christine on March 26, 2014 at 9:59 am

    Maritza, well done on the half marathon. I could never manage a half marathon (unless I walked the whole way) 🙂

    Thank you for the reminder that this journey is worth it, that there is a goal to focus on and we need to just keep “running.”

    • Maritza Parra on March 27, 2014 at 10:55 am

      Christine, lol… I’ll bet you could! 😉 Ok, so if not a 1/2 marathon, I’m hoping you challenge yourself to get uncomfortable in some other way to boost your growth!

      • Christine on March 27, 2014 at 4:58 pm

        lol Maritza, I assure you I couldn’t but don’t worry there are MANY challenges in my life, and getting uncomfortable is certainly not an issue right now. Also, I can multitask on other things – but running and breathing at the same time – now that defeats me! 🙂 However our journey looks, it will be different to others and we need to learn to celebrate our own achievements whatever they may be; for as you rightly said in your article its our personal journey.

  7. Celest Horton on March 27, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Congratulations on the 13.1!! I know what a HUGE milestone that is and how mentally and uncomfortable it is to finish those last few miles. It’s a prefect analogy for business and the need to stretch into our uncomfortable zone and how the end result is ALWAYS worth the pain.

    • Maritza Parra on March 27, 2014 at 10:58 am

      yes Celest! It’s always worth the pain! And in our conversation yesterday, I loved how you compared it to “childbirth” which is one of the thinks I think of when someone is starting or growing their business – you’re “birthing” your unique expertise to serve your people – and there will be times of contraction (pain & failures – ouch!) and expansion (flow & success!)

  8. Anna Liotta on March 27, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    You have so got it Maritza! Yes it really is all about being willing to persevere even when the odds of action to outcome are 100 to 1. Being an entrepreneur is not for the timid of heart. Thanks for keeping us inspired.

    • Maritza Parra on April 17, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      Anna, yes being an entrepreneur makes you strong and you are one of the strongest women entrepreneurs with a huge gift to help other people with!

  9. Andrea Beltrami on March 31, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    Get it girl!!! ; )

    I’ve been having the same urges – that feeling in my belly that I’ve basked too long in my comfort zone and that’s it time to spice things up. I find the most beautiful gifts (personal growth as well as biz goodness) when I take the scariest chances. So to fulfill that hankering for the blessings of the unknown I’ve decided now is the time to turn on the camera and conquer my crippling and VERY real fear of being on video. DUN, DUN, DUN! It’s time to make the impossible possible and reach for that which I don’t have but know is mine.

    To all of us and our untapped potential!…

    • Maritza Parra on April 17, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks Andrea! Make sure and post a link to your video here next time you comment! *nudgenudge* 😉

  10. Sandy Donovan on April 1, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Maritza,
    I needed to read this today. The past week, I’ve felt like I was in “crisis” mode, just responding to things and wondering, why isn’t this just working yet?? And it is frustrating. Maybe I do need to shake things up and get out of my comfort zone a little to see a breakthrough. I’m not sure a half marathon is my thing though 🙂 Congrats on that!!! I can’t ever imagine running that far. It is incredible that you did, especially without training and planning ahead for it. It definitely shows your strength and determination. Thanks for sharing!

    • Maritza Parra on April 17, 2014 at 2:01 pm

      Sandy, I’ve found that getting out of my comfort zone is the best way to create a breakthrough in life and in business! And you can do it in so many ways, not just running…. as long as you are streeeeetching out of your comfort zone!

  11. Amber Hurdle on April 3, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Congratulations on your half marathon, Maritza! It’s amazing how yourelate it to an entrepreneur’s journey. I never thought of that… probably because I’ve
    never ran that far my entire life. 🙂
    I’m proud of my 3 miles!!

    It’s a great reminder that we get challenges every step of the way, but it doesn’t end there. The win is always sweeter at the end of the journey. Thanks for sharing! As always, you amaze me, sista!

    • Maritza Parra on April 17, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Amber, 3 miles is AWESOME!!! (And I happen to know that you do “air drums” while you run… which is super amazing! 😀 I really like relating everything that strengthens me to my entrepreneurial journey, it keeps me inspires and moving full force.

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