Lately, I’ve been making a lot of life changes.

My wife and I just had our second child. (Bragging rights photo here.)

I started a much healthier lifestyle a few months ago (more running, walking, less eating garbage) and it’s really paying off.

And I finally started this blog (after running other blogs for a number of years).

A sprint, not a marathon

And if there’s anything I’ve learned in making these big life changes it’s that success (in business or in life) is not a sprint.

It’s a marathon.

So many people want a million new subscribers or fans TODAY.

And so many people want to lose 100 pounds in 12 weeks.

Why in such a hurry?

But why are we all in such a hurry?

Which are you more likely to maintain for your entire life: losing 100 pounds in 12 weeks, or losing 100 pounds over the course of a year?

My guess: the latter.

Why?

Because you’ve completely changed your lifestyle.

You’ve made a permanent change. And therefore, you’re bound to stick with it.

If you want to lose tons of wieght in a short amount of time, you’re envisioning a time in your head when you don’t have to eat healthy or exercise anymore because you’ll just “be skinny.”

And you’re fooling yourself.

What does this have to do with business?

Ok, that’s all fine and good, but I’m no weight-loss guru.

So what does this all have to do with internet marketing, business, entrepreneurship, etc.?

Take one of my blogs for example:

I started GraphicDesignBlender.com almost 4 years ago. And I just barely reached 10,000 subscribers. (PS: here’s the small change I made that boosted my subscribers by about 2,000/month)

Is that slow growth?

Yep.

Do I care?

Nope.

Why?

Because along the way, I’ve learned what it takes to be in it for the long haul.

I’ve learned how to take care of an audience. I’ve learned how to treat my subscribers like human beings.

I’ve made a lifestyle change.

Start something

I’ve recently become a big fan of Richie Norton’s blog and his new book The Power of Starting Something Stupid.

But I would add one piece of advice to his excellent counsel to “start something.”

Start a marathon.

When you start something, prepare yourself to be in it for the long haul.

Dedicate yourself to success.

Define success.

And then run at a steady and maintainable pace until you get where you want to go.

Remember, success (true success, not the temporary stuff that makes the news) is a marathon, not a sprint!