Running your own race means focusing on what is yours. It is all about sending yourself a cease and desist to copying what others are doing because they seem to be in a better position than you.
Before I get into the issue of “running your own race”, I would be remiss if I did not wish you well during these unprecedented times. I do not mean the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak solely, but also the current political climate that we have been experiencing since the death of George Floyd. May he rest in peace.
Since the murder of the dearly beloved George Floyd, I have been thinking about the next part of life. What do I want to do differently to help improve this world? Some advice I would like to give you is to remind yourself that life should be fruitful, so take your time and don’t try to complete it all in one go.
Why is running my own race important?
Many times a day, I give up because there is so much suffering in the world, and I don’t know how to cope with it all. It is important to note that I cannot carry the world’s weight on my shoulders alone. One human being did not corrupt the world. Therefore it will take more the one human being to set it right again.
Many things can affect my mental health during these current times. Some include:
- Illness
- Death
- Prejudice
- Discrimination
- Bias standards of beauty
- Social media
Regarding social media before smartphones, social media consisted of meeting someone to hear the latest news about their life. This was the time to discuss new diets, love interests, children, school, noisy and nosy neighbours, and even pop culture. Currently, social activities exist online.
| ACTIVITY | TRADITIONAL | MODERN |
|---|---|---|
| Playing with friends | Going to the park with friends | playing video games via the online function |
| Relationship | Write a note asking your crush out on a date | See someone you like online and send them a direct message |
| Career | Go to school, then university and get a job | The emergence of creative outlets such as YouTube and social media influencers |
| Infidelity | Stay late at work; book romantic getaways | Message the third party whilst lying next to your significant other in bed |
Tackling today’s problems cannot be solved by the remedies of yesterday. As you can see, we operate differently. You no longer have to go to a fast-food store. Just get UBEREATS or Deliveroo. Stores have online functions. Therefore no more exceptional customer service and previously tried-on clothes. Everyone has moved with the times (unless you are Chanel and you are still throwing away products that don’t sell nor offer products for online distribution).
What’s in it for you?
To solve today’s problems, you must think from an evolutionary standpoint. Many issues are created by thinking this way, so why can’t solutions be designed too?
You must regroup and remind yourself there is still time to catch up with yourself mentally. To break away from the world. Friends used to come over and comfort us when we were in need. Now we have to call them. These neo-social conventions can damage those who use gatherings to stimulate their growth. Considering that we are currently still dealing with the pandemic, social media is all some of us have to feel part of a social group still.
Social media is full of highlights. Most will not realise or recognise this fact. But it is true. People post expensive watches. They do not post their appearance after working 15 hours a day for four weeks. People will post images of newly purchased cars. They do not post pictures of eviction notices. You cannot compare your apples to others’ oranges.
Worry about the plan that you have for yourself. You do not know what people do every day to achieve the things that they have. Therefore, you can only control the items within your power, which is coincidentally your life. You can only prevent your own progression. So remember how far you’ve come and still plan to go.
Run your race. Refrain from competing with anyone. If you want to compete with someone, compete with yourself. Compete with the level of progression you have made in one year. Have you always wanted to learn Spanish? How many words do you know? If the answer is none, it is time to work on it. Do not worry if none of your friends is interested in learning a new language. You are. That is all that matters.
Some tips
Celebrate your friends when they achieve a new goal in life. Don’t be mean, grudgeful or think the worst. That was not your goal. Did your friend apply for one job last month and get an employment offer within three weeks? Congratulations are in order. Missing out on these festivities because you are envious is a nasty trait. Did you want to work in the same industry? For the same company? For the same position? Most of the time, the answer is no. So you already know what you have to do. Run your race.
If you feel some type of way because your friends are consistently achieving something, use that as inspiration. If everyone around you drives a car, that does not mean you have to. You never know. Your friends can drop you at different destinations for free. Most of the time they will do nice things for you, just because you’re friends. But still, the headliner remains the same. Your friends, family, colleagues etc., will congratulate you when you achieve YOUR goals.
Inspiration: the process of being mentally stimulated or motivated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
If you want something, you will achieve it. Just keep working at it.
A pro tip is to ensure you have a plan and stick to it. College, University, Career? Have a plan because life continues. It doesn’t stop because you decide to leave home and experience what it is like to live alone whilst still receiving an education. Death will happen. Marriage will happen. New life will happen. All these things will affect you and how you choose to live your life. You have to remain loyal to YOUR goals.
Race Goals
Use the internet. As easy as it is to get into these industries without traditional means of education, it is even easier now to develop a short attention span. Remember why you started, and work on your discipline. Stay focused, and run your race. When you get there, you will have something worthwhile to contribute.
Some goals for you to start your own list include:
- Reading
- Taking a chance on the idea you have always had, no matter what others think
- Make sure you unapologetically take time off from the world to focus on your mental health
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