From time to time, someone will ask me why I write these stories, why I share so much of my life.

It’s partly because I’ve come to view myself as a character in a book. But I’m not just a character, I’m the author, which means I get to write the script.

Therefore, I have to define my character.

Who is he?

What does he stand for?

How does he live his life?

Writing stories about what I’ve done or what I plan to do is empowering because it demands introspection. With every story, I’m forced to examine whether what I’m doing is congruent with the character that I’ve defined.

Further, I’m held accountable by my stories.

Public declaration is powerful.

For example, I could write a story about the ImpactClub 5K and how great it was to have so many people show up, especially those like Bob who randomly joined at the last minute because they happened to be there. And I could write about how that’s caused me to rethink all of my conversations with Carley and Cress and J Taylor about starting a running club. And in that story, I could say that I’m committed to the idea and that our first meeting will be on September 19th at East Frank at 6:00 PM.

If I write that story, if I publicly declare it, then I have to do it.

So mark your calendars, the first meeting of the yet-to-be-named running club will be at East Frank Superette and Kitchen on Thursday, September 19th, at 6:00 PM.

(See how that works?)

I share these stories, too, because I hope to be an inspiration to others. Not that I’m anybody special - I’m just a regular dude.

But that doesn’t matter.

You don’t have to be Tony Robbins, David Goggins, or Gary Vaynerchuck to inspire. Regular, everyday folks can be an inspiration to other regular, everyday folks.

Want proof?

Earlier today I got this message from someone this morning who walked the ImpactClub Virtual 5K.

“Ran this morning downtown and around E Franklin. Only about 2 miles but felt good. Still cooling down and it’s been an hour...must be REALLY out of shape. But I did it. Thanks for the inspiration dude!”

Two weeks ago, in her words, she was “not a runner.”

This morning, she was a runner.

This morning, she also wrote her own script.

Want to run with us? Mark your calendars, Thursday, September 19th, at 6:00 PM