Okay so, let's discuss something for a minute, but let me tell you a story first. Today I went out for a rather hardcore tail run, about 15-miles, with lots of steep hills, both up and down and some long slow hills too, elevation gain around 4,000 feet total and I ran it hard, so I am a little blitzed right now attempting to carb back up, and feed my muscles all the protein they need, and yes, I am sore as hell and they need that protein and nutrients badly along with a couple of hours of steady electrolyte hydration as it was about 80 degrees today and probably hotter in some of those canyons.
To make a long-story shorter so I can get to my point, today I ran 11-seconds faster than my personal best on that trail, which was the last time I ran it. I've probably total run that course 10-times or more. It's my way of proving that I actually am as tough as I think I am, although I often have doubts which probably keeps me, or rather forces me to press on. Consider if you will running a 2-hour mega hardcore trail run within 11-seconds of what you posted the time before? How is that possible, after all, a 5 to 10-minute difference wouldn't be so unusual considering the hot weather, winds, choice of shoes or sleep and food intake leading up to the run.
In hindsight, there were a couple of slow grades that I caught myself running or jogging slow, and sped up, perhaps the song on my iPod was slower or fatigue was starting to set in, or maybe I just needed a sip from my handheld sports bottle. Regardless, in the end it was about 11-seconds. And, this brings me to my next point. Could I have gone any faster? The answer is YES. So, the next question is WHY didn't I go faster? Well, I suppose the truthful answer is that if I knew I was that close, I would have concentrated more and I am positive over that fifteen miles I could have ran 3-4 minutes faster than my PB (personal best) and thus, a new goal has emerged.
Now then, let's relate this to life. How many times have you come up short? How many times have you quit only to later realize later that you were so close? I've watched employees and franchisees in my business quit just as they were about to succeed, break-even, or transit the summit and yet, they failed due to not believing in themselves or failing to consider how close they were at the time. I am certain most all of them would have given it a little extra "umph" to win, had they known. So my hard earned advice to you is this: go the extra mile, make it count, give 110% and expect to win, because you will if you do. Think on this.