The Longest Race When people ask me about my job, I tell them I’m a project manager at a busy software company. My daily life is all about working under pressure, managing teamwork, and making sure we meet our tight deadlines. It requires a lot of communication skills and the ability to be decisive. Many colleagues ask me, "How do you stay so calm and motivated?" My answer usually surprises them. I tell them that the best training I ever had for my career wasn't at university; it was the year I decided to run a marathon. Before that, I wasn't an athlete. I was often bored and unsure of my abilities. When I first started training, it was a disaster. I felt completely exhausted after just a few kilometers. There were days when I was so frustrated by my slow progress that I wanted to give up. It felt like the biggest obstacle I had ever faced. But I had made a promise to myself. This "life experience" taught me determination. I had to be punctual, waking up at 5 a.m. every day, even when I was tired. I had to be reliable; my training partner depended on me. And I had to be flexible, changing my running plans when it rained or when I had to work late. When I finally crossed the finish line of the marathon, I wasn't the fastest, but I felt amazed. I had achieved something I thought was impossible. That determination is what I use today when a project gets difficult. The flexibility helps me adapt when a client changes their mind. And the reliability? That’s the most important quality in the world of work. Running that race wasn't just a life achievement; it was the foundation for my entire career.