Vitamin N

A few weeks ago, at the Chicago Marathon, a twenty-three year old Kenyan man named Kelvin Kiptum ran the race in a world-record time of two hours and thirty-five seconds. This is a full thirty-four seconds faster than the previous record.

In an interview after the race, Kiptum was asked what he did to accomplish something so special. His response was, “I take my daily dose of Vitamin N.”

The interviewer was noticeably confused (as was I as I’d never heard of Vitamin N), until Kiptum elaborated.

“I say no to anything that will cause me to lose focus or be less disciplined.”

Vitamin N is saying no.

Sure, if your boss asks you to do something, you should probably do it. But are there other places where a dose of Vitamin N might benefit you? Are you doing things, daily, that are pulling you away from the things that are most important?

Think about work and your leadership, of course. But are you staring at your phone when you could be talking to your kids? Are you hitting snooze when you could be at the gym? Are you binge-watching a show instead of finishing that book you’ve been working on?

Take your Vitamin N. Say no to distractions. Say yes to the things that will help you achieve your goals.