Running Towards vs. Running Away
The question – “are you running towards something or running away from something” – is such a profound question. I’ve heard it asked in a peer group setting amongst members many times.
I believe, the question speaks to two kinds of motivation.
Running toward something is energizing. You’re pulled forward by excitement or curiosity. This is the kind of motivation you have when you’re chasing a dream or diving into something that fascinates you. It’s a growth question. You don’t think about what you’re avoiding because you’re too focused on what you’re building.
Running away feels different. It’s about escape. You might leave a bad job or a toxic relationship. There’s nothing wrong with this—it’s human to want relief. But running away can be a trap. You get so focused on avoiding the bad that you forget to aim for something good. You might end up anywhere, just as long as it’s “not here.”
The problem is that “not here” doesn’t last. Once the danger or discomfort fades, you are left wondering, what now? The momentum you had disappears, and you’re left drifting.
The best choices combine both. Sometimes you need to escape something bad, but the real magic happens when you also run toward something better. It’s harder, but it’s worth it.
Lesson Learned: Running away gets you out of trouble. Running toward builds a future state.