Pace Your Race

Understanding the race is essential for planning your pace. Different races require different strategies; a marathon cannot be approached like a sprint. If you attempt to run a marathon with the same intensity as a sprint, you will quickly find yourself out of breath.

Your pace must be planned and adjusted to balance your stamina with the type of race you are in. This principle aligns with Stoic philosophy, which emphasizes self-awareness and strategy.

Reflecting on my own experience with a marathon I attempted years ago, I learned a valuable lesson. Each time I encountered someone I knew, I was tempted to race alongside them, even though they were following a different strategy. This human tendency can lead to exhaustion before the race is complete.

This lesson extends beyond running; it applies to corporate work strategies as well. Depending on your capabilities, capacity, and the challenges you face, you need to plan when to accelerate, when to slow down, and when to take a step back. It’s crucial to follow your own pace rather than that of a colleague who may be on a different path.

Know yourself and master your design and plan. It is a mistake to believe you should not rest or take breaks during a long race, simply because some stupid rabbit went to sleep and lost the race to a tortoise. Ignoring your needs will only lead to burnout.

Planning and pacing are the winning formulas in any race, be it on the track or in corporate life.