May 23, 2011 54 Comments

Running Til You Fall

One big risk with all of us is that these things we pursue are constant-feeling and nonstop, and in the effort to get where we think we need to go, we sometimes run faster and faster, because we sense we’re “almost there.” We run because we know that stumbling requires that we get up and keep running. We run because motion feels much better than inaction.

But sometimes, you’re just running and you don’t count the costs. You aren’t hydrating. You aren’t stopping to be with the people around you. You aren’t looking at the scenery. You lose sight of the little things that are really the big things because the race is such a draw, or the distance is such a draw.

Balance in all things. Running is a series of controlled falls. And if we don’t pay close attention to how what we’re doing fits in with the rest of our life, then we might end up winning the wrong race.

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http://fbml-templates.net Tim Soulo

Yeah, that’s actually a big issue. I often notice that I don’t have a minute to take a rest of my “race”, step aside and think of where am I running to, why do I do that and what’s the best way to get to that destination.
Susan

I heard a saying long ago which, at the time, made no sense to me. ”Go slow to go fast”. After starting and running several small businesses, I now know exactly what it means. Great post, Chris! Thanks for reminding me to slow down and make sure I’m on the right path.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Excellent! Short and Full of Awesomeness.

I guess the difference in between real running and this type of races is that when you do a real run if you did not hydrate or pace yourself your body will not allow you to continue.

In a real race you will clearly see where you ended up was not where you wanted to end up.

In the other type of race we get signals which we ignore and sometimes don’t look into. So even when we are running the wrong race we might figure it out when a lot of damage has been done already.
Nathan

Mmmm. My problem is I do more falling than running.
Anonymous

I resemble this remark.
http://hannahsharvest.com HannahMarcotti

I slept for 9 hours last night. I’ve been getting about 5. It felt amazing, I feel present. Hydrating and resting so we can keep moving! Beautiful post Chris.

http://rickmanelius.com Rick Manelius

Same here. 8.5 last night after several weeks of 6. I can now say with certainty: 8.5 is better!

http://biggsuccess.com georgekrueger

You reminded me of one of my favorite Dadisms – “The faster I go, the behinder I get :-)
http://biggsuccess.com georgekrueger

You reminded me of one of my favorite Dadisms – “The faster I go, the behinder I get :-)
http://ajleon.me ajleon

Thank you for this, Chris. Precisely what I needed this morning. It’s what I preach, but many times forget. :)
Anonymous

sometimes the shortest posts make us think the longest. thanks, Chris
http://rickmanelius.com Rick Manelius

I’ve had this same self-intervention about a week ago. I’ve long been a believer in the GTD (getting things done) philosophy, but that’s only one part of the equation. Mastering workflow is great. But once that is done, the goal is not to add more work into the newly efficient system. The goal should be to provide more space and time to think and plan.

I know I get lost in the “well I’m so efficient I can take on twice as much work” mindset… when it would be more beneficial to carry those cost savings over into being less frantic and more thought out.

Very timely, and very appropriate. We are slowly creeping up on the halfway mark of 2011, and I think we all might benefit from a day of reassessment of our goals this year.

http://productivityjunkies.com Darin Persinger

my problem with the GTD method is that its good for employees, not business owners. The objective should not be to get alot of things done, but the right things. So many times that means eliminating or delegating.

http://rickmanelius.com Rick Manelius

Hey Darin. You might want to try his followup book ‘Making it All Work’ where the focus is more on the ‘perspective’ axis versus simply how fast/efficient you can do something. I agree about the issue of deleting/delgating (which is also part of the system as the weekly review).

So I see it as 2 parts. First master workflow so you can have enough time to think and not just thrash wildly trying to keep up with every possible action that comes your way. And when time permits, THEN do a better job of making sure you’re actually doing what’s useful, eliminating what’s not, and delegating when appropriate.

At least, that’s my 2 cents :)

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jelena-Milosevic/1218601350 Jelena Milosevic

By running to fast we don’t enjoy any step forward we made and by choosing wrong path we can come to bitter end: “winning the wrong race.”
Advice from smart people: Take a breath and then go on.
Thanks,
Jelena
P.S. Be honestly with our self and know our possibility’s, to not push to far
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jelena-Milosevic/1218601350 Jelena Milosevic

By running to fast we don’t enjoy any step forward we made and by
choosing wrong path we can come to bitter end: “winning the wrong race.”
Advice from smart people: Take a breath and then go on.
Thanks,
Jelena
P.S. Be honestly with our self and know our possibility’s, to not push beyond of our limits
http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

I often have to remind myself that the people I look up to (usually 10 plus years older then me) have been training and running a lot longer then myself.
I have this desire to get to their pace, to their speed, and to their conditioning. And so I exert everything I have to get to the place only to fade because I was not prepared nor was I ready.
There is something to be said about setting a good pace and disciplining yourself over time to run faster and farther.
http://ClimbingEveryMountain.com Mary E. Ulrich

Many times I do feel like I am winning the wrong race. Or rather, I am running a race that no one else understands or values. So, I’ll have a small victory–and others don’t see it and think I am just spinning my wheels instead of making progress.
http://www.thegoodnessgrows.com Mimi Meredith

We need to create personal and corporate systems that allow for exactly this kind of assessment. We are a driven, goal-oriented society and we often gauge our success and efforts based on how others are running their races.

All the best as you continue to find your own stride, and thanks for sharing the journey and lifting us up along the way.
Claudene

Yes, so important, balance. And making sure we’re in the right race.

You triggered a memory of Russell Conwell’s classic, ‘Acres of Diamonds,’ which I hadn’t thought about in a long time.

A great post, and one I need to re-read often. Thank you. :)
Morgan Leu Parkhurst

“…winning the wrong race” – you’ve got me thinking. And that’s perfect for a Monday morning. Thanks, Chris!
http://twitter.com/JudyHelfand JudyHelfand

Chris,
The first thought I had as I read your post is that I hope you are OK. So here’s to you.

Judy
http://www.ryanhanley.com/about Ryan Hanley

The idea of “winning the wrong race” is very scary to me. The insurance business is a grind and it can be very easy to get lost in the work. I would hate to come up for a breath in 10 years and wonder where my life went…

Good article Chris. Thanks.
Krishna

Great insight!
http://www.retirepreneur.com Donna Kastner/Retirepreneur

Another great post. I’ve been racing hard for awhile, but last month, I hit a speed bump — Had an epiphany or two, then jumped back in the race.

For some (like me), it’s a constant yin yang tug of war… push hard/pedal faster/keep your blinders on —— coast for a bit/smell the roses/enjoy the ride ;)
http://twitter.com/susangiurleo susangiurleo

Thinking of you, Chris.
There is no balance, no winning and no race.
There is the process and nothing else.
We learn every day.
Anonymous

You’re starting to sound like Seth Godin. I don’t know whether or not this is a good thing. And walking 2 miles a day does the same as a run, and gives you the time to take in everything you might miss that you describe above.

http://productivityjunkies.com Darin Persinger

walking takes longer though. Boom! Pow!

Anonymous

You can run for thirty minutes and exhaust yourself, OR you can be relaxed when you’re done. You make the call. You may have missed the point of the post.

Biff!! Bam!!!!!

http://mogostyle.com Raiman Au

True! But the more you run and exhaust yourself, the stronger your body becomes to adapt to the running! And eventually you can cover the same distance in less time, or go farther in the same time!

So it’s just two flip sides to a coin! Whack! Kablam!

http://www.crashutah.com John

Of course, sometimes the running is the best part of the experience.
http://mogostyle.com Raiman Au

I’m extracting from this post that choosing your destination is the most important!

But in terms of how you get there, I think there’s two ways about it. Either:

1. Get better at running (get to places faster but miss everything in between), or
2. Get better at walking (and noticing the scenery / taking the time to talk to people)

Anything in the middle just doesn’t achieve much. (Think about fast-walking to work. You don’t get there THAT fast, you don’t really get exercise, and you completely miss the scenery as well)
http://twitter.com/scottschablow Scott Schablow

… or you might end up hitting the wall too hard and knocking yourself out of the race completely.
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Great post and its important that we balance our acts or else as you said we will end up winning the wrong race.
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By running to fast we don’t enjoy any step forward we made and by choosing wrong path we can come to bitter end: “winning the wrong race.”
http://vizsource.info/ Kim Davies

Hi, Chris.

Somehow this made me remember the saying that goes, “It does not matter how hard you fall. What’s important is that you picked yourself up after.” I just can’t remember who said it.
I believe running in this race called life is important to keep up with the changing times. But, yes, keeping a balance is needed as well. There is no sense in running if you miss out on the important things in life like laughing with friends, seeing your kid walk for the first time, reading a good book or watching a particularly lovely sunset. These are all essential things that will make savoring life’s successes sweeter.
Anonymous

You just described my life for the last couple of years– up until a little over a month ago when I slammed on the brakes to take a good look inside &around me. Hey, at least it wasn’t a lifetime….
Dara

Hi,

Found a great book called Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson. It looks at our ability to change. It’s something that interests me, the ability to change behavior. I think why run so fast when you can change incrementally HOW you do things.

I don’t personally look at life in races. I choose metaphors that empower me play against myself. However we can blindly misues our personal power.

Regards

Dara
http://dreambox-dvb.com/content/dreambox-remote-control-dm500s-dm500c-dm500t Dreamboxes

We have to never Lose Our Confidence until the work or Goal is not Finished and Running till the End. If you have to Achieve your Goal or your Wish than never gave a give-up and fight till you win.
http://www.danieldecker.net Daniel Decker

Indeed. In a similar direction I wrote this post to myself on my blog yesterday as a reminder… “The Title on Your Business Card Doesn’t Really Matter to Them”
http://theriverchurch.tv/ Scott Gould

This is me right now – thanks for nailing it CB.
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There is no sense in running if you miss out on the important things in life like laughing with friends, seeing your kid walk for the first time, reading a good book or watching a particularly lovely sunset.
http://www.sramanamitra.com/2011/02/08/the-1m1m-deal-radar-crowdspring/ crowd SPRING

Very timely, and very appropriate. We are slowly creeping up on the halfway mark of 2011, and I think we all might benefit from a day of reassessment of our goals this year.
http://www.sramanamitra.com/2011/02/08/the-1m1m-deal-radar-crowdspring/ crowd SPRING

Very timely, and very appropriate. We are slowly creeping up on the halfway mark of 2011, and I think we all might benefit from a day of reassessment of our goals this year.
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Really impressive blog. There is no sense in running if you miss out on the important things in
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It may be that I can no longer keep up with the pace of business and commerce that I had to find my own slower pace.
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I guess the difference in between real running and this type of races is that when you do a real run if you did not hydrate or pace yourself your body will not allow you to continue.
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Running Til You Fall

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