Sprinting Toward Self-Improvement

Vacations are often seen as a time to relax, unwind, and escape the daily grind. But for me, my getaway last June in Southern California became an unexpected journey of self-improvement. I approached my vacation with a new mindset: Rather than focusing on rest and indulgence, I wanted to return feeling stronger, more energized, and ultimately a better version of myself. I reflected on different things I could do to nourish my mind, body, and soul, such as reading new material or learning a new skill. After contemplating my options, I chose to run.

A Daily Commitment to Running

Before my vacation, I had been running on and off—enough to know the benefits but not enough to truly feel like I was progressing. When planning my vacation, I thought, “Why not turn this into an opportunity to push myself?” I knew if I committed to running every day, I could come back feeling like I reached a new level of fitness.

The beauty of running is that it’s simple. No gym membership or equipment required—just shoes, a path, and determination. Running is literally you against the road or the treadmill. Plus, running is incredibly freeing. You’re not just working your muscles; you’re also clearing your mind, reducing stress, and boosting your mood.

On my vacation, I set a goal to run every single day, incorporating a new challenge into each day. The goal for one day may be to run for 30 minutes straight, while another may be to run a 5k as quickly as possible. It didn’t matter if I was traveling to a new place, lounging at the pool, or exploring a new city. I committed to investing in myself and getting my run in. At first, the idea of running every day felt daunting, but I quickly realized it wasn’t about hitting some ambitious pace or distance every time; it was about consistency. Each day, I felt a little stronger, a little faster, and a little more connected to my surroundings. Ultimately, there was little pressure; it was a fun and freeing way to work through stress and emotions.

By the time I returned home, I was amazed at how much my running had improved. Not only had I increased my stamina and speed, but I had also developed a newfound sense of discipline and resilience. It wasn’t just about the physical benefits—it was also about the mental strength that came with showing up every day, no matter how I was feeling.

More Than Just Running

Running every day didn’t just change my fitness level; it changed my outlook on life. For those in leadership positions, this example of investing in ourselves is a great reminder that all it takes is a little bit of determination to better ourselves. For those of us who take a more servant leadership approach, the thought of taking time for self-improvement is not natural. We’d rather spend a great deal of time giving all of ourselves to our team members and patients. However, when we choose to do something and show up for ourselves in these ways, we commit to caring about our own well-being. This helps us show up differently, in ways large and small, for those we lead or care for. Listening to ourselves and listening to others is the beginning of knowing what we and others need.

After choosing running and reaching my goal, I returned home with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. Pushing myself to meet a goal every single day helped me realize that when daily work gets tough, we need to keep moving forward and recognize that each day may look a little different. As long as we keep putting one foot in front of the other, we will improve ourselves and our communities. The small wins during my runs translated into one large win: realizing how I can choose to show up for my team day after day.

The sense of accomplishment from running every day made me realize how much we underestimate our ability to grow, especially when we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone. I am a firm believer that we are our own worst enemies in that way, because we are truly never too old to learn new things, achieve new goals, and find unique purpose in all that we do. This experience reminded me that becoming a better version of yourself doesn’t always require grand, sweeping changes; small, consistent actions also add up to something truly transformative.

Investing in Ourselves

If you’re taking a vacation, consider making it more than just a time to relax. Use it as an opportunity to challenge yourself in a new way. The results might surprise you and make you feel stronger, more disciplined, and more capable. Becoming a better version of yourself doesn’t have to wait until you’re back in your routine; it can start the moment you decide to take that first step.

If I can run every day on vacation and come back stronger, so can you. The journey to becoming a better version of yourself starts with one simple choice. Just show up and let the rest fall into place.

In her monthly leadership series, Barbara Schmidtman, PhD, vice president of cancer care operations at Corewell Health in West Michigan, offers her perspective on addressing workforce-related issues through effective leadership practices. Read her previous post in this series here.