Walk with Many, Run with a Few, Fly Alone: The Path to True Growth
Life is a journey, and the path you choose determines your destination. Some walk, some run, and a rare few take flight. Each level comes with its own challenges, sacrifices, and rewards. But the truth is, the higher you go, the lonelier it gets.
Not because you don’t need people, but because not everyone is willing to pay the price that comes with flying.
Walking With Many: The Comfortable Path
Walking is easy. It requires no special effort, no real risk, and no pressure. You move with the crowd, following familiar paths and doing what is expected. There’s a sense of safety in numbers—you’re surrounded by people who think and act the same way.
The Problem With Walking
✅ It’s easy.
✅ It’s predictable.
✅ It’s comfortable.
❌ But it rarely leads to extraordinary results.
At some point, you feel restless. You sense that there’s more, but the fear of leaving the crowd holds you back.
If you want more, you have to do more.
Running With a Few: The Path of Growth
Running requires effort, discipline, and focus. It’s a decision to push beyond the ordinary and step into growth.
What Happens When You Start Running?
✔️ You become more focused.
✔️ You surround yourself with high achievers.
✔️ You move faster toward your goals.
But you also notice something else—not everyone is willing to keep up.
You might hear things like:
- “Why are you working so hard?”
- “Why don’t you just slow down and enjoy life?”
- “You’re doing too much—what’s the rush?”
But runners don’t listen to the crowd. They move with purpose. They seek out others who are just as committed to growth and success.
Running is rewarding, but few take the next step—to fly.
Flying Alone: The Path of Purpose
Flying is different. It’s no longer about speed; it’s about elevation.
What It Means to Fly Alone
- You break away from what’s familiar.
- You step into the unknown.
- You operate at a level where few can follow.
Flying doesn’t mean you’re isolated. It means you’re in rare company—visionaries, pioneers, and leaders who dare to rise above the norm.
The Cost of Flying
🚧 You won’t have the same kind of company you had before.
🤷♂️ Not everyone will understand your decisions.
😞 You will face moments of doubt and loneliness.
Yet, those who fly understand something that walkers and runners do not—true success and purpose are found at higher altitudes.
A Moment That Defined My Flight
I remember when I made the decision to invest heavily in technology for Westbury Chemist. It wasn’t an easy choice.
Some people advised caution. Others suggested I take a slower, safer approach.
“Why take the risk?”
“Why not just maintain what you have?”
I understood their concerns. It would have been easier to stay where it was comfortable. But deep down, I knew that if I didn’t push forward, I would never see what was possible.
So I took the leap.
It was lonely at times—there was no guarantee of success, no roadmap, and plenty of moments of uncertainty. But that decision transformed the business. It set us apart. It allowed us to grow in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I had stayed in step with the crowd.
Lesson learned:
If you want to soar, you have to be willing to break away from the pack.
Are You Ready to Fly?
Not everyone will understand your journey. Some will question your decisions. Some may even walk away. But if you know deep down that you are meant for more, don’t let fear hold you back.
Here’s your challenge:
- Where are you right now—walking, running, or flying?
- What’s stopping you from taking the next step?
- What decision have you been avoiding because it feels too risky?
The sky isn’t crowded for a reason. It’s reserved for those who dare to fly.