Over a year ago, I adopted a pit bull retriever, Giuseppe. (More on this later, since I’ve learned more about humans since adopting this dog then I ever will as an actual human.)

But back to my dog…since he’s a pit bull, and since other dogs are often not super-safe around a pit bull (again, more on this later), I always walk him on a leash, at least once a day. There are no off-leash options for this dog, and he often needs restraint. In fact, I walk him with a harness and an extra leash, and lots of treats.

About 5 minutes into our walk, there’s a literal fork in the road. I can either go straight, and do a short walk, or I can turn right and do a long walk. Sometimes my pooch and I go straight, and sometimes we turn right. It depends on the weather, my schedule, and how much exercise my dog needs, but whenever possible, even when I have to rush a bit – I take the long walk.

Taking that long walk has many benefits, some of which are obvious. My heart rate stays higher, longer. My appetite for healthy food increases after a longer walk. My dog naps straight into the evening, after that long walk. And it gives me a chance to think. (Although we live in a “right-this-minute” society, it’s healthy to stop, and think. It’s healthy to ponder the sky and wonder about our role in the world or even in someone else’s world…just for a moment.)

It’s also healthy, sometimes, to make a bigger goal – to strive for a longer workout, to stretch for something we didn’t think we could do. In business, it’s just as healthy to take the long view – and to make long-term goals that right now seem impossible. Sometimes we’re stuck on the short-term goals, and we may worry that a bigger project is unachievable. And, admittedly, quite often, my dog – who is apparently more of a sprinter than a distance dog – is lagging after about 30 minutes. He’s done the walk a hundred times, and he always tires out right before the end.

But remember – those last 10 minutes are where the reward is. The last 10 yards are indeed the toughest, but if we never choose the long walk, or take on that additional project, or hire that additional salesperson – we may never know the benefits of achieving greater success. If you’re getting ready to take on a bigger goal, you certainly want to prepare for it, and you better know that at times it might be tough. But when you’re all set and the time comes, don’t hesitate to turn right and take that long walk. Because it’s more work, for sure, but in the long run, there are always benefits.

For more information about taking a bigger step with your brand, contact us here. If you want to learn more about the health benefits of walking, click here. And to find out why most pitbulls don’t deserve the stereotype, learn more at Stand Up For Pits.