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Entity shares how Marathoner and Olympian Joan Samuelson shows that taking one step at a time really works.

Whether it’s working on a New Year’s Resolution, reading that book you promised yourself you would read, climbing that mountain you’ve always wanted to climb or being the first woman to break a specific record, it’s important to take your time. The arduous and frustrating highs and lows of life’s journeys are exactly what make the end result that much more fulfilling.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, right? This is true in every single venture, especially for Olympic runner Joan Benoit Samuelson. She won two Boston titles and an Olympic gold medal in 1984. She won the Boston Marathon in 1979 and again in 1983. She has broken world records and is the first winner of the women’s U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon. All of this has put her at the top of Competitor’s list of the 35 Greatest American Female Marathoners.

Do you think someone like her began her journey as a runner without taking one step at a time? One of Samuelson’s famous quotes talks about her experience at the beginning of her journey. She says, When I first started running, I was so embarrassed I’d walk when cars passed me. I’d pretend I was looking at the flowers!”

Samuelson, like the rest of us, was at one time a baby. Baby Joan Samuelson had to learn how to walk. She had to take her literal first step and from there, she had to take another.

Eventually, her steps led her to North Carolina State where she earned a running scholarship. Her whole life comprised a series of small steps toward the Olympics. Samuelson didn’t aim to become an Olympian, but she had to start somewhere. The woman who was once an embarrassed college student is now an inspirational, record-breaking American Olympian.

Life’s twists and turns can bring new opportunities that we can’t foresee if we are rushing through all the steps. No one is born with all the knowledge or skills in the world. We all have to take every goal – whichever one comes our way – one step at a time.

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