Work, effort and time help us to build confidence in our abilities.

Recently, I was invited to speak to our university’s football team. I was being recognized by the team for work I’ve done with our student athletes, an honor I never expected.

Part of that involved attending practice the night before their game and speaking to the team. There was nothing special expected, just thank you and maybe a few words of wisdom.

As a mass communication professor, I had some expectations of myself, but this is a new award and I was still trying to figure out exactly what it was, who nominated me and why.

I had thoughts about what to say and let’s just say, my speech could have used a lot of work, but we all got through it and the team won (not due to anything I did).

Our Goals Can Impact Others

Although I attended practice not sure of what to expect, I quickly learned that my impact reached more people than I thought. As a university professor, I have an opportunity to reach and touch a lot of lives.

I tend to focus my efforts on teaching my craft through lectures, hands-on work and mentoring. However, I rarely think about what I do outside of the classroom (in my life this involves a classroom, TV production room, or sports broadcasting truck) or what I do directly with my students. I learned that what I do outside the classroom can have an impact on them too.

A couple of the student athletes who are in my classes talked about why they nominated me and what they kept coming back to, was how I inspire them with the goals I set for myself.

I don’t share all the details of my life with students, but I try to be open with them about certain aspects. When I regularly walk into class after a training run, often very stiffly, it’s obvious that I’m doing something outside the ordinary.

When I introduced myself at the beginning of the semester, I shared that I was training for a half marathon and eventually wanted to run a marathon. Sharing this piece of information, didn’t seem like that big of a deal, but I guess I was wrong.

Each week they ask for updates on my training, so I share the ups and downs. They’re keeping track of how close the race is with me. I always thought they were just distracting me, but after listening at practice, striving for my goals inspires them.

Setting Your Sites on Your Goal

In May of 2023 I decided to set my sites on doing something that for many people seems simple, I wanted to run a mile nonstop. At 39 years old, it would be the first time in my life I would do that.

After spending a lifetime in a larger body, I had lost nearly 250 pounds, off and on over nearly 7 years of ups and downs. I surpassed my weight loss goal and was ready to set my sights on something new. Then I would build on my goals from there.

I limit who I share my goals with, but when it comes to my running goals, I do share them with my students. I’m not a fast runner and I’ve been questioned about my abilities because my times aren’t anything outstanding, but I don’t worry about them.

However, when I share with my students that I’m training for a half or full marathon, I get some gasps and a lot of questions. It’s not a common goal you hear from people.

The football players talked about this as a source of inspiration for them, at length. One even explained that (I can’t quote him verbatim) when he hears me talk about my training, I run more in a day than he may run in a week of practice. I doubt this is true.

He then went on to tell the team that when he hears me talk about my training, he is inspired to work harder. He goes to practice and feels like he can work harder and push himself to always be better.

Listening to him, was motivating to me. I walked away with a new realization. They inspire me to do better. In return, outside of what I do in the classroom, I inspire them to do better. Striving for your goals can be more important than we may ever know.

Achievement Through Time, Work and Effort

After hearing this, I was reminded of an idea, believing in yourself already means you’ve won half the battle. I talked to them about how when I run in the late summer, I see them putting in the work on the field. They started the season with two rough losses, but I reminded them that they’ve put in the time and effort. They had to believe in themselves and each other. That can overcome a lot.

See, when running long distances, and to some extent all sports, most of the battle is in your head. As a runner you are not only training your body to handle the distance, but you’re also training your mind to believe you can finish.

Similarly, in team sports, if you don’t believe in your teammates, then it’s hard to accomplish your goals. Putting in the time, work and effort is about building your mind and body to reach new heights. It’s what helps you believe.

Who You Become

As I’ve gone through my own personal journey through running, I’ve discovered that I can achieve things that I’ve never thought were possible. I’ve finished two half marathons and am preparing for a third, with bigger goals on the way.

Physically, I feel stronger each time I go through a training season, but mentally it’s always a challenge. I find myself pep talking myself through the last miles. I continually remind myself that I’ve done it before and I can do it again.

With each attempt I become more confident in who I am and who I am becoming. I realize that I can overcome any challenge placed in front of me.

This doesn’t mean I can go out and do it without effort, but I know I can push myself through the process, no matter how strenuous. As with life, running, and any sport, teaches us many lessons. Believing in yourself is one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned.