It’s amazing when you cross your own invisible line from, “Ugh! I have to do this,” to “Wow! I get to do this!”
Such is the case with running. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think I would enjoy, let alone love, running. But I do. A LOT! So much in fact, I regularly participate in local 5k, 10k, 15k and 10 mile runs. The short races are in preparation for a full marathon I’m taking part in!
Mind you, I’m not the fastest runner around. Truth be told, I don’t strive to be. However, I do strive to be the best I can be... for me.
Running has resulted in many incredible benefits for me.
 Clarity of mind
 Increased energy
 Ability to focus for long periods of time
 Positive mindset
 Lower blood pressure
 Lower risk of stroke, diabetes, heart disease and cancer
 Stronger heart
 Weight management (I’ve dropped 40 pounds of unhealthy weight in the last year)
 Improved work performance
I didn’t set out to be a runner. It certainly wasn’t a lifelong goal. My actual goal was to live with as much gusto as possible and break the stereotype of being a woman in my sixties. At nearly 62 years of age I daresay, I’m shattering many stereotypes.
One of the greatest benefits is the spillover into my business. I’m more efficient than ever and I definitely get more done in a shorter period of time. This allows for more time enjoying things outside of my business.
“Actions speak louder than words,” is something most of us have been taught since childhood. I believe this is truer than most people realize.
As I’ve stayed the course with my exercise routine, many of my clients have watched my progress and made their own commitments to some type of exercise and movement. Each is doing something they enjoy.
One client is doing daily rebound bouncing on a mini trampoline. Another has begun daily walks. Yet another is back at the gym enjoying resistance training. Another has recommitted to ballroom dancing.
All are feeling better about themselves and the “must do’s” in their businesses. The results for some are nothing short of amazing.
Most of my clients realize a big part of building their business is to speak on the platform to reach more of their market in a shorter period of time.
“I know this is something I should be doing, but I’m not feeling my best. I want to drop thirty pounds first,” lamented one client.
Realizing he was holding himself back by holding onto this excuse, my client decided to do something about it.
Recently he spoke to a crowd of over 100 entrepreneurs.
“Wow! I loved it. I want to do this more often,” he told me on a recent coaching call.
The fact is, how we feel about ourselves has a direct impact on our business. If we feel good, we tend to do more that’s good for our bottom line. We are willing to be more vulnerable in situations such as getting on the platform.
We also tend to have a better mindset. When all is said and done, it’s our mindset that either moves us forward or stops us in our tracks.

Author's Bio: 

Kathleen Gage is a marketing strategist and product-creation expert who works with consciously aware speakers, authors, consultants and entrepreneurs who are ready to package their expertise into money making products and services in order to reach a global market and generate sustainable revenue while doing their life’s work.

Kathleen is recognized as one of the top Internet marketers in her field and has authored several books, been a contributing author to dozens of books, created dozens of information products and written hundreds of articles published in trade journals, magazines, newspapers, Ezines, and various online locations.

Her passion is teaching others how to stop playing small and come out is a big way to get their message to market.