Since the 5th century BC, when Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of a battle victory; running 42.195km has remained the pinnacle of endurance activities.

Marathons are a great metaphor for careers, building businesses and winning in life. And the common phrase you will often hear is “Investing is a marathon not a sprint”. But how many people who use this line have actually run one? As both a marathon runner and a long-term investor here are ten of my favourite insights on the parallel between the two:

  1. You don’t run 42km once. You run one kilometre forty-two times.
    Insight: Break the big task up into smaller goals and SIPs are the best way to do this. 
  2. A marathon is a 10km race with a 32km warmup.
    Insight: Compounding is back ended.
  3. Every uphill has a downhill.
    Insight: In markets, things are never as good or as bad as they seem.
  4. To finish first, you must first finish
    Insight: It doesn’t matter how late you started, how little you are saving or how far away your financial goal is. Just keep going!
  5. It never gets easier, you only get faster
    Insight: Progress is the essence of life. Keep growing and raising your ambition.
  6. You only see the runners in front of you, never those behind you
    Insight: Appreciate everything you have and how far you have come in life. Gratitude and contentment are pillars of long-term compounding.
  7. The hardest part is not finishing, it is believing you can finish
    Insight: Self-belief is your greatest source of strength. And focus on the present and only on the present. 
  8. A marathon is not run on the road. It is run in the six inches between your ears.
    Insight: Equanimity is the secret to success in long-term investing.
  9. For every minute you gain on the first half, you will give back three in the second half.
    Insight: Stay patient and stick to your plan. There are no shortcuts to getting rich.
  10. It takes a team to run a marathon alone
    Insight: Acknowledge and celebrate the role your financial advisor, family and friends play in your financial success.

Disclaimer: Views are personal  

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