Sometimes people laugh when I say that I attribute much of my success in the workplace to my participation in running and cycling competitions. There are very

Sometimes people laugh when I say that I attribute much of my success in the workplace to my participation in running and cycling competitions. There are very few other factors I can point to that have had such a dramatic affect on my attitude towards not just work, but all of my pursuits. At the most basic level, training and competing promote intense focus, dedication, perseverance, and hard work in general. Running my first marathon, I hit an enormous wall around the 20 mile mark, and all you can do is put your head down and keep grinding. Although it's not from physical strain, I get that same feeling during those super long days of work, when you're just totally exhausted and feel like you can't go any farther...and then you do. Running or cycling are great for their health benefits alone, but if you get serious about either (or anything related), I think you'll start seeing a surprising number of parallels with your professional life as well. Even if you don't get serious about it, and dedicate only a handful of hours a week, it's still an amazing way to clear your mind.