How do you prepare yourself to carry on despite the difficulties of your work world? A recent New York Times Corner Office interviewee says any sports field is a great place to gain endurance. Kathy Button Bell, vice president and chief marketing officer at Emerson, credits her athletic background for teaching her leadership and perseverance skills. Playing college field hockey with a U.S. Olympic coach “taught me everything about myself, about how hard you can work at something, and how you can die trying,” says Bell.

Recall the endurance you needed for any sport you have ever played, or strap on your running shoes and start training for a running race: Sports teach you to keep going and to get a job done, no matter how long it takes. Bell believes the best qualities of her college coach are also excellent attributes for any boss: kindness and toughness. Bell says the physicality of sports also has helped her adhere to a difficult international travel schedule; travel is akin to an endurance sport.

Not all of Bell’s advice is sports-related. Bell advises us to “take wild advantage” of good events. Even just calling colleagues to tell them about a great thing that happened is valuable. She notes that bad stuff happens a lot, so you have to relish and share the good stuff.

She also advocates shortening your to-do list. “Dave Farr, our C.E.O., says that if you have a to-do list of 10 things, rip it and do three. Just do three,” says Bell. In other words, focus your attention on the issues that matter the most.

Bell also realizes that paying attention to the rich questions is important for her role as a mentor. “I think you want to ask [people you mentor] about being delighted in life and what would make them incredibly happy.” Of course, this is an apt question for you as well. In your work life, what would make you blissful? Aim high, just like you do on the playing field.