How to Win Your Races Every Single Time

The Copywriter Column #109

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Not an actual photo of me. I’m not that good looking and don’t have that many awesome tattoos. | Photo by Steven Erixon on Unsplash

What would you do if you could never lose?

Play the lottery?
Run a marathon?
Start a business?
Submit that proposal?
Ask for a raise?
Ask your crush out on a date?

During my run earlier this week, I heard this quote and it stuck with me since. I’ll tell you why in just a second. 

But here’s the quote:

"If you only run races where winning is up to you, you'll always win."
- Epictetus

If you want someone to unpack that a little more for you, here’s Ryan Holiday:

@daily_stoicThe race to win is against yourself. When you try to beat other people, you set yourself up to fail. But going against yourself—trying to improve yourself—that’s a competition you have control over. It’s one you can win. A Stoic triumphs over themselves, over their own limitations, and in this—even if the margin is small—is the most important victory of all. From my conversation on Modern Wisdom with @Chris Williamson

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It might seem like a cheat code or akin to phoning it in. What’s the point of participating in a rigged race?

Well, it’s less about rigging the results and more about taking ownership of the effort you put into something. In other words, don’t allow others to define success for you.

Okay, so why did this quote stick with me?

Because I was in the middle of a run at 6:00 in the freakin’ morning.

I started running again a few weeks ago. Not because I’m training for a race but because I’m trying not to die earlier than necessary. The exercise helps keep some biomarkers in check while being good for my ol’ ticker.

I set a dead easy goal over a month ago: run one day a week. 

• Distance? Doesn’t matter. 

• Time? Doesn’t matter.

• Duration? One month.

• Results? I met my goal.

Then I set another dead easy goal: run two days a week.

• Distance? Doesn’t matter.

• Time? Don’t care.

• Duration? One month.

• Results? TBD (but they’re looking good).

In July, I’ll set another goal: run three days a week.

• Distance? Doesn’t matter.

• Time? Don’t care.

• Duration? One month.

• Results? TBD

Eventually, I’ll add distance goals and time goals. But for now, I’m just trying to show up. Winning is strictly up to me.

It’s super empowering/motivating/insert-your-favorite-verb-here.

You should try it. Find a way to turn your goals into mini you-centric successes.

Playing the lottery?
Maybe success is simply in buying the ticket.

Running a marathon?
Maybe success is just in finishing the race.

Starting a business?
Maybe success is simply filing your LLC.

Submitting a proposal?
Maybe success is in raising your rates.

Asking for a raise?
Maybe success isn’t the raise, but having an honest convo with your supervisor.

Asking your crush out on a date?
Maybe success is in the asking itself.

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