A Three-Point Checklist for Winning the Rat Race

On a recent Sunday, I went for my regular jog around the reservoir in Central Park. Regular exercise has a positive impact on my mental health and stress management, so I make it my mission to keep in shape. That way, I can maintain a frenetic and relentless pace in building a successful business.

As I was running around the track listening to my iPod, I became acutely aware of my thoughts. With the Rocky IV song No Easy Way Out to keep me motivated, I initially turned my focus to the current weather, my mood, track conditions and the people in my immediate area.

Once I completed this visual, emotional, auditory and tactile inventory of my current situation at the park, I picked up the pace of my jog. I focused on joggers ahead of me. I stopped thinking about my physical fatigue, the sweat and the purpose of my jog. I used runners ahead of me as targets to overcome as I made it around the track.

Let me describe my stream of consciousness that kept me motivated:

"Look at this guy with the orange sweat band around his head! There is no way I am letting him stay ahead of me on the track."