It’s not just about finishing, it’s about playing the game
A while back, I took on the Goggins Challenge: running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight. Technically, I completed 50 miles in under 48 hours, but not as I planned. Here’s the thing: the value of a challenge isn’t always in the finish—it’s in what you learn along the way.
As I ran through the cycles, I realized this challenge was less about the physical effort and more about the mental game. The constant repetition—4 miles, then rest, eat, shower, repeat—kept asking, “Are you sure you want to keep going?”
It wasn’t about just hitting the miles—it was about sticking to the plan when your body wants to quit. It’s about pushing through the mental fatigue and staying committed, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s where real growth happens. The moments of doubt, frustration, and the temptation to cut corners—that’s when the true challenge begins.
Late in the project, I found myself trying to get ahead by doubling up runs. But that’s not point: it wasn’t about finishing faster—it was about pushing through every interval and testing true endurance.
This challenge for me wasn’t really about running—it reminded me that all of life’s real tests are mental. It’s about how we handle discomfort, fatigue, and the urge to give up. That’s where growth lies, in whatever challenge you face.
In his book Self-Reliance, poet-philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote,
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
As we’re still in January, I’m sure you have big hopes for the year ahead—whatever they may be. You already have everything you need to succeed. During my toughest times, I lean on that hope—and I’m confident you can do the same.
~ Stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize ~