Walking in a Running World

The impulse is to speed up; to increase my pace. But this only works for a few weeks at a time. Then I sputter. I get unfocused; I feel like I’m trudging through mud. I get tired and?start feeling that I’m not doing enough. Over time, I’ve visited this space often enough to get curious about the source of this pattern.?

Consciously setting pace is a vital skill for long haul productivity. If I am not resolute in figuring out the pace of my work, other people or factors will set an unsustainable pace for me. Here are some ways I’ve come to think about pace.?

1. Pace is not determined by comparison.

Social media appears to give us insight into the lives of others. As much as we understand that this window is highly curated, we are still influenced by the fiction. If someone you follow or work with seems highly productive. Instead of envying them, a better strategy is to ask how they get so much done? In grad school I was falling behind on my reading until I asked a friend how they got the thousands of pages of reading done in a semester. He was happy to give me his reading plan and share his study habits. But it took some humility. I had to face the reality that I was falling behind and needed help. Over the years, this lesson has helped me tremendously. For the price of some confession, I’ve learned and grown. ? ? If you’re starting to compare or envy, instead of chastising yourself, simply go and ask the following questions. ?

• How did you learn to do this so well? ?
• What would you recommend that I do to grow in this area??
• Where are there other resources to improve?? ?

2. Pace must be sustainable.

Everyone has their own preferences and strengths when it comes to working pace and productivity. Some work better in short bursts of intense focus, while others may prefer longer periods of moderate concentration. Others thrive in a fast-paced environment that may cause some to feel?overwhelmed or stressed. You can find your best rhythm by experimenting with different methods, such as setting goals, prioritizing tasks, taking breaks, and managing distractions. ?

If you’re trying to figure out your optimal pace, rewind your memories to a time when you were the most productive and happy. ?

• What type of workload were you handling? ?
• Describe the environment (workplace, expectations, leadership, etc.).?
• Identify a few things from that experience that you can replicate now.?

3. Pace must be communicated.

Clarifying your own expectations about pace is great, but the process also involves conveying those expectations to those you work with. The process will create alignment and will help you refine your own understanding as well. ?

How to communicate your expectations;?

• Communicate face-to-face. This can help to convey your tone, emotions, and body language more clearly than other forms of communication, such as email or phone calls. Face-to-face communication can also allow for immediate feedback and clarification.?
• Be clear and specific. When setting or discussing expectations, use concrete and measurable terms, such as deadlines, quality standards, or output levels. Avoid vague or ambiguous language that may lead to confusion or misinterpretation.?
• Be flexible and adaptable. Expectations may change due to various factors, such as market conditions, customer demands, or organizational goals. Be ready to adjust your pace of work accordingly and communicate any changes clearly and promptly.?

4. Pace is seasonal.

Not long ago the seasons set the pace for human work. And while most forms of productivity aren’t set by the seasons, they do have predictable patterns. If you are involved in education, school starts in the fall and runs through the spring. If you sell a product, it has an idiosyncratic sales cycle. This seasonality is your friend. It can help you align your pace to the flow of the year. For example, schedule your vacation for seasons where there is typically less pressure, so that you leave and return to a calmer workload. Or when you’re facing a busy season, you can convey that to friends and family, and they can support you and also know it won’t last forever.?

Questions to figure out your work season:?

• What are the hard (unchanging) deadlines over the course of a year??
• What causes busyness in my work? What is it’s cycle??
• Where are the natural breaks in my work year? ?

5. Pace juggles speed, accuracy and creativity.

Pace is a crucial factor that affects the quality and efficiency of work. It is not just about how fast or slow you can complete your tasks, but also how well you can balance the three balls of speed, accuracy, and creativity. ?

Speed refers to how quickly you can deliver your results, whether it is a report, a product, or a service. Accuracy refers to how precise and reliable your results are whether they are free of errors, mistakes, or flaws. Creativity refers to how original and innovative your results are whether they offer new insights, solutions, or perspectives. ?

Juggling these three balls can be challenging, as they may conflict or compete. For example, working too fast may compromise accuracy or creativity, while working too slowly may miss.

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Summary: Setting your pace of work is an essential skill for long term accomplishment. These pointers will help you achieve a sustainable pace.