Last year was a beautiful JOURNEY for me. It all started when Kent Stewart of RELI Title came to one of Get A Real Estate Life’s events. He was talking to our group about goal-settting. And, he said that worthy goals are best when they are lofty goals. He continued to say that you know you’ve set your goals high enough when people look at you like you’re crazy! (that’s a look I was familiar with! haha) I was enamored with his story. He woke up one morning and decided to be a climber. Just like that. But, instead of heading to the local state park, he decided to set a goal to climb all seven summits. He’s climbed six. Seven is on the horizon in a few months.
I’m often inspired by our meetings, our guest speakers as well as our clients. And, that’s how it all started….Right then and there, I decided to start running-but I had no idea where to start. Who cared if I weighed 209 lbs the month before. That’s not where I am now!
Funny how God hears your heart. A few weeks later, I got a call from Amber Britton of MortgageBanc and she knew that I admired her running and had expressed a tiny interest to her the year before. I committed to start and backed out before I began in 2013. But, this time was different. She was starting a team for the Mercedes Half Marathon in February to raise money for Parkinson’s disease. Her mother is battling this terrible disease with grace and dignity. This was July and I was in. Who doesn’t love a good cause? I certainly do.
The first day, I was huffing and puffing and couldn’t run half a lap. But, I kept going. I kept showing up. And, that’s always half the battle. I met so many friends. And, yes, people of all shapes and sizes were there giving much-needed strength to each other. I kept saying to myself, “I love running.” And, the truth was, it was torture. But, I kept affirming my love for it. Then, I missed a few group runs due to my schedule. I realized I really missed it-really loved it. I was becoming a real runner. Real runners talk about how “addicted” they are to running. And, I was addicted!
As I reflect back on running, I know why I fell in love. I love simple things. There’s something to be said for Start here, put one foot in front of the other, keep going and get to the finish line. It’s not complicated. Business, life, family, finances…all of that can be complicated. But, running is not. I met so many friends that I dearly love. It didn’t start out as a “social sport” for me. Lord knows, I couldn’t talk and run at the same time. I was out of shape!
Now, I’m more social. And, I didn’t know it was a “contact sport” either; however, after two separate falls and five stitches in my chin, I learned to focus. My knees are bad and I had to get a series of arthritis shots in my knee. I kept running-even with injuries. With every run, I started to enjoy it more. Some runs were hot, some were bone-chilling cold and some were miserable in pouring rain. I ran anyway. Now, I prefer running in the rain! It makes you feel so alive. I pushed myself to my limits with the help of my teammates who were sometimes way ahead of me. But, I chose to compete with myself. Sometimes I struggled with huge hills, struggled to keep my footing over rocks and mud, sometimes Kathy and I would even get lost! Other moments, I would seemingly glide downhill. It mirrored my life. Our life.
And, I kept running. Over time, I would hear God and feel God and pound out my problems on the pavement. Without my runs, I sometimes had trouble hearing God’s whisper. I lost myself in my runs and found myself at the same time. It was solitude. Stillness in motion. It cleared my head and gave me a clarity that I had never known. It felt like pure freedom. And, it made me strong. Resilient. It gave me balance (finally, thank God!). I learned to appreciate a good sweat, a sunny day. I loved seeing my own breath on a cold morning and it gave me a greater appreciation for nature—and cars! Eyes wide open. That’s how life should be lived and business should be performed. I’ve now completed two marathons, a 10K and a 10-mile race along with countless long group runs. While I’m proud of my accomplishments, it doesn’t seem like all that much anymore. Running changed my perspective. Now, I want more.
As with anything, your support group is everything! I am eternally grateful to my running buddies, Amber Britton of MortgageBanc, Kathy Gipson of RealtySouth, Hanna Traweek of RE/MAX Advantage and Gay Chambers who I have the pleasure of knowing through Genny. And, of course, my running coach, Danny Haralson of Run University. They have inspired me, pushed me, dragged me to the finish line and allowed me to accomplish more than I ever imagined possible. They amaze me.
Setting goals-crazy good goals-allows you to become better in every aspect of your life. If I can run a half-marathon, I can run a full marathon! If I can run, I can write a book, have a podcast, flip houses, own businesses and coach the best agents in the business to unimaginable levels of success! Why not? I find myself looking at Kathy and Hanna with such admiration. They run marathons! And, they do it beautifully. They have unlimited power. They can accomplish anything they choose. They can list luxury homes, be the top agent in their market, make an unlimited income–anything! Think of what a little power would do for you. We are strong. We are fearless. We were runners. Now, we’re marathoners!!! There’s no stopping us now. You either. There’s a start line in whatever you choose to pursue.
Take that first step!
Kimberly Bibb
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