Recently, I was running a race and thought it was over. The finish line was within sight, so I started my final sprint¹. 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 expended² all of my energy and could only coast the remaining distance to the finish line.

最近，我参加了一次赛跑，参加完我就以为是结束了。终点线就在眼前，我开始了最后的冲刺。然而当我转过最后一个弯，我坚信一定会在那里的终点线却不在。事实上，它还在半英里之外。由于我对赛跑终点的错误判断，我耗尽了全部的体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类似的。不要在赛跑中错误估计终点线。

The Race Is Longer Than You Think

路程比你想象的长

Success takes perseverance³. And there are no shortcuts⁴ to hard work, dedication⁵, and honing of your skills.

成功需要毅力。在工作时没有捷径，必须要奉献，而且磨练你的技能。

“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:

“赛跑的路程通常比你想象的要长。” 罗马不是一夜建成的。是的，也许有昙花一现，但是它闪光之后很快就会消逝。确保你做好了长距离赛跑的准备。下面有五个方法来确保你已经做好了准备：

1. Plan for the Long Race

长跑前制定计划

Plan for a long race. Winning is not done in short sprints⁶, but rather long endurance challenges.

制定一个长跑计划。胜利不是一蹴而就的，而是一个长期的耐力挑战。

2. Know the Finish Line

知道终点线在哪里

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.)

如果你在进行的比赛没有终点线，那你就不知道什么时候结束。确信你的目标有最后期限，正如那条终点线（或者至少在路上有关卡）。

3. Always Have a Reserve

做好储备

One of my early mentors⁷ said, “a true leader always has a reserve.” When everyone else is exhausted⁸ and spent, it is the leader who still has some left in their tank to persevere⁹.

我先前的一个导师说，“一个真正的领导通常都有所储备。” 当其他人筋疲力尽，有所储备的领导才能坚持下来。

4. Train for the Distance

赛跑训练

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 undertaking¹⁰.

确信你已经为了赛跑的长度有所训练。如果你没慢跑过，不要去跑一个半程马拉松。训练，我指的是练习、学习，并为你要经历的事做准备。

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.

我通常对那些走空了站在路边的人十分不解。走空只能把你放在背景里，什么也不能帮你完成。

6. Be Ready to Go the Distance

准备完成这段距离

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.

赛跑从来都不短。认为生活就是短跑是不对的。是的，会有快速变化、运动的时期。然而生活是一次充满山峰、转角和障碍的长跑。

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

因此，不要错误判断你的终点线。随时准备好去远方。