Recently, I was running a race and thought it was over. The finish line was within sight, so I started my final sprint. As I cornered the last bend in the road, the finish line was not where I believed it to be. In fact, it was still a good half mile down the road. Since I had misjudged the end of the race, I had expended all of my energy and could only coast the remaining distance to the finish line.

最近，我參加了一次賽跑，參加完我就以為是結束了。終點線就在眼前，我開始了最后的沖刺。然而當我轉過最后一個彎，我堅信一定會在那里的終點線卻不在。事實上，它還在半英里之外。由于我對賽跑終點的錯誤判斷，我耗盡了全部的體力而且只能慢慢跑完剩余的路程。

This analogy holds truth for many things in life. Don’t misjudge the finish line in your race.

生活中其他事情也是類似的。不要在賽跑中錯誤估計終點線。

The Race Is Longer Than You Think

路程比你想象的長

Success takes perseverance. And there are no shortcuts to hard work, dedication, and honing of your skills.

成功需要毅力。在工作時沒有捷徑，必須要奉獻，而且磨練你的技能。

“The race is always longer than you think.” There is no such thing as overnight success. Yes, there are flashes in the pan, but they are gone as quickly as they sparkle. Make sure that you are ready to run the long race to completion. Here are 5 Ways to Ensure You Are Prepared to Go the Distance:

“賽跑的路程通常比你想象的要長。” 羅馬不是一夜建成的。是的，也許有曇花一現，但是它閃光之后很快就會消逝。確保你做好了長距離賽跑的準備。下面有五個方法來確保你已經做好了準備：

1. Plan for the Long Race

長跑前制定計劃

Plan for a long race. Winning is not done in short sprints, but rather long endurance challenges.

制定一個長跑計劃。勝利不是一蹴而就的，而是一個長期的耐力挑戰。

2. Know the Finish Line

知道終點線在哪里

If the race you are running doesn’t have a finish line you will not know when you are done. Ensure that your goals have deadlines, and thus finish lines (or at least checkpoints along the way.)

如果你在進行的比賽沒有終點線，那你就不知道什么時候結束。確信你的目標有最后期限，正如那條終點線（或者至少在路上有關卡）。

3. Always Have a Reserve

做好儲備

One of my early mentors said, “a true leader always has a reserve.” When everyone else is exhausted and spent, it is the leader who still has some left in their tank to persevere.

我先前的一個導師說，“一個真正的領導通常都有所儲備。” 當其他人筋疲力盡，有所儲備的領導才能堅持下來。

4. Train for the Distance

賽跑訓練

Make sure you have trained for the distance you are running. Don’t go out to run a half marathon, if you have never completed more than a short jog. By train, I mean practice, learn, and prepare for the project you are undertaking.

確信你已經為了賽跑的長度有所訓練。如果你沒慢跑過，不要去跑一個半程馬拉松。訓練，我指的是練習、學習，并為你要經歷的事做準備。

5. Never Go Empty

不要走空

I am always amazed by those that run “to empty” and are then stuck on the side of road. Running to empty doesn’t accomplish anything other than setting you back in the big picture.

我通常對那些走空了站在路邊的人十分不解。走空只能把你放在背景里，什么也不能幫你完成。

6. Be Ready to Go the Distance

準備完成這段距離

The race is never short. Those who think that life is a sprint are incorrect. Yes, there are periods of fast change and rapid movement. However, life is a long distance run with many hills, turns, and obstacles.

賽跑從來都不短。認為生活就是短跑是不對的。是的，會有快速變化、運動的時期。然而生活是一次充滿山峰、轉角和障礙的長跑。

So, don’t misjudge where your finish line is. And always be ready to go the distance.

因此，不要錯誤判斷你的終點線。隨時準備好去遠方。