Must Have Stamina: Winter Running & Hiring

I'm a morning runner - it gets my day off to a good start with the flow of endorphins, plus it's really quiet, there aren't many people (or cars) around, and I can let my mind wander over work and the day ahead of me. Today was the first time in 8 days that I've been able to run outdoors, and even though I felt like I might die around mile 1.5, it was glorious not to be stuck on a treadmill. And between my thoughts of dying this morning, I started contemplating how winter running and the hiring process at this point of the year have some similarities.

I can hear your skepticism at the connection. But listen...

Summer running is nothing. At 5 AM, it's 65 degrees, you wear shorts and a tanktop, and the sun is coming up to welcome you to the day, so getting out of bed is (slightly) easier. Winter running, on the other hand, is the torture that only truly sick people put themselves through. Winter running:

• Requires so many more clothes: long pants, thicker socks, a base layer and outer layer on top, gloves, a scarf or neck warmer, and ear/head covering. At a minimum.
• Means you're going to run in the dark at 5 AM or 5 PM. 
• Is cold. Really cold. It was 15* when I left today.

Winter running requires a stamina that spring/summer running may not require. You have to drag yourself from the warmth of your bed, spend twice as long getting dressed, wake your brain up enough to have the mental capacity to spot ice patches, and remind yourself constantly that you'll feel better if you just go.

Hiring, in December particularly, can feel pretty similar in my opinion. Everyone involved in the process - hiring managers, recruiters, candidates - feels tortured, and is ready to give up until January. With open positions, we contend with vacation schedules, end-of-year wrap-up meetings, and office closures in order to schedule interviews and meetings, or get approvals to move forward with candidates. When we do make an offer, it's rare that a new employee will actually start in December because of those same things. Managers who need help and candidates who need work are anticipating the approval of new budgets and new positions. We have to keep reminding ourselves that we all win when we make it through the cycle.

It's still a stretch, I know. But here's the deal: winter running and hiring both require stamina to accomplish, but they both have a positive end. We walk away feeling pretty great, and we've probably convinced ourselves that the next go-round can only get easier. So stick with it - you'll be happy in January that you did.