Stick With it, in Running and in Law

So it’s been about 5 months since I started training to run my first 5k, and, I’m still running.

My first race was the Christmas Story Run (5K) on December 3, and then I ran the Resolution Run (5k) on January 7—let me add that for the Resolution Run it was 9 degrees with snow on the ground. For some reason, I kept running, even after that experience!

Right now, my next race will be the SnowBall 5k in Bay Village on February 18 ( I am hoping the snow part is minimal), and I am signed up to run a leg of the Akron Marathon in September, and my leg will be 5 (hilly) miles, so that’s something fun to train for.

So, why am I telling you all of this?  Because I am learning about “sticking with it”, in running, in my law practice, in my  marriage, in  my friendships, in life.

I have made it a priority and a necessity that I will run a certain number of times a week, and that I will increase mileage. That’s hard, and some days and weeks are harder than others.  As a litigator with a practice spanning multiple counties and dozens of courts, I spend an enormous amount of time in court and in the car. Add in time in the office, and bar association commitments, and serving on various Boards, and there isn’t much time leftover. BUT, I’ve stuck with it, because I have learned that by sticking with running, I am more productive with work and other commitments, I’m happier and less stressed at home, and life has a better perspective, even with so much stress.

Sticking with it in running also makes it easier to stick with it with other goals, specifically in my law practice. I’ve been able to cross off items on my to-do list easier, and it’s simpler to stick with marketing campaigns that often require repetitive actions, whether it’s gathering testimonials, posting on Facebook and other social media, blogging, or just setting aside time each week to think about new marketing ideas.

Practicing law plus running a law practice is hard. It’s a highs and lows business, and you carry the problems and burdens of your clients. It’s hard to stick with the law, and it’s hard to not be jaded. But being a lawyer is an amazing and truly noble profession, and so we stick with it.

STICK WITH IT.  Spend some time this weekend thinking about what you want to achieve in 2017, personally and professionally. Make some action items, and STICK WITH IT.  The progress will come; it always does.